South African President Jacob Zuma told the media at a news conference in Johannesburg on Monday (July 12) that "we did it successfully" after the month-long World Cup soccer tournament had drawn to a close with Spain lifting the title on Sunday.

In the six years after South Africa won the right to stage the continent's first tournament, organisers endured a sea of negative reports and plenty of domestic self doubt.

There were persistent suggestions FIFA had a "Plan B" to move the soccer spectacular to Australia because of doubts over Africa's capacity for such a vast logistical exercise.

Other reports said the stadiums would not be ready in time, fans and teams would be victims of South Africa's frighteningly high rates of violent crime, that infrastructure would be incomplete and that transport would be a disaster.

Zuma said that all of these problems had been overcome.

"It truly is an emotional moment for a nation that doomsayers warned football fans to avoid coming to South Africa," he said.

"The world had been told to expect high levels of crime, unfinished stadiums and other infrastructure as well as lack of accommodation. They came and discovered that we are a winning nation of very humble, hospitable people. They learned too that we are efficient organisers and planners. We did it. We did it well, we did it successfully but we did not do it alone. We did it with Africa and with the support of the world."

Following the success of the World Cup, Zuma hinted that the country may be considering a bid to host the 2020 Olympics.

"2020 is an important year for the Olympics, now Africa need to host some of this big events, and certainly for our eyes to be on 2020 it's not a wrong thing because we have the facilities" added Zuma, who had met with International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge on Saturday (July 10).