Odegbami confirmed Nigeria's withdrawal

Segun Odegebami, head of the Nigerian bid committee, said the decision was made at the request of the government.

"It is true that we have dropped the bid," he said.

"The government has spoken and it appears it is the wish of the people as, since we began our efforts to bring the tournament to Nigeria, there has been a lot of criticism."

Nigeria's sports minister Musa Mohammed added: "In the spirit of African brotherhood, and Nigeria, especially with her cordial relationship with South Africa, the federal government has withdrawn from the bid of the 2010 World Cup fiesta and lends its full support to South Africa."

It's great news for South Africa and our bid South Africa's bid chief Danny Jordaan

Mohammed said Nigeria was already overburdened by other commitments, including the hosting of the All Africa Games from 4-18 October.

The news comes the day before the latest stage of the bidding process, which will take place in Zurich on Tuesday when the African candidates present their proposals to Fifa.

Egypt, Libya, Morocco, South Africa and Tunisia will each make a 30-minute presentation to a panel that includes Fifa president Sepp Blatter.

Deadline day looms

Fifa have guaranteed that Africa will host soccer's showpiece event for the first time in 2010 as part of a new policy of rotation of the tournament between the continents.

South Africa's bid chief Danny Jordaan welcomed the news.

"It's great news for South Africa and our bid," he said.

"More important than Nigeria backing out is the fact that they have given us their support because they are extremely influential in West Africa and will be able to consolidate a large amount of support behind the South African bid.

"I was surprised that they pulled out because I expected them to be here on Tuesday presenting their bid but I'm delighted that Nigeria will now be behind us."

Nigeria had originally hoped to bid jointly with West African neighbours Benin, Ghana and Togo, but Fifa rejected that move.

South Africa are considered favourites to win the right to host the 2010 tournament.