By Mohammed Allie BBC Sport, Tunisia

Morocco and South Africa are both bidding to host the World Cup

The Group D game between South Africa and Morocco could turn out to be more than just a match at the African Cup of Nations.

The two countries are believed by many to be the leading candidates to host the 2010 World Cup, which will be held in Africa for the first time.

While both countries acknowledge that infrastructure and the technical aspects of their bids are crucial, the Moroccans believe a good performance at the Nations Cup could improve their chances of hosting the World Cup.

"While the Moroccan Football Federation's bidding committee is looking after the requirements from Fifa and also doing the lobbying, we believe it's important to have a good football team too," said Mohammed Mufid, General Secretary of the Moroccan Federation.

"If we don't have a good team we can't have a World Cup.

"Therefore it is our goal to have a very good African Cup of Nations tournament as it is part of our agenda to promote our bid.

"Can you imagine having a good bid with Fifa, a good promotion but a bad team?" he asked.

To do well in Tunisia will certainly advance our cause Mohammed Mufid, General Secretary of the Moroccan Federation

Mubarak Mohammed, deputy head of the South African delegation, said while South Africa wanted to do well at this Nations Cup, Bafana Bafana had already shown its quality at the 2002 World Cup.

"We performed very well and were only eliminated on goal difference.

"We've told the players that we want to leave this tournament with a good performance against the Moroccans, who have never beaten us before this tournament," he said.

The South Africans are confident that their infrastructure and technical expertise should give them the edge to host the World Cup, but the Moroccans believe a good performance against their rivals and also a good run at the Nations Cup would boost their chances.

"To do well in Tunisia will certainly advance our cause as it will boost the profile of Moroccan football which at the moment is very healthy.

"This has given our players extra motivation," said Mufid.

The Moroccans will be bidding for the fourth time to host the World Cup.

Three other African countries - Egypt, Tunisia and Libya - are also attempting to be the first ever African country to host the World Cup, and Fifa will announce the successful candidate on 15 May.