JOHANNESBURG South Africa are delaying a bid to stage the 2010 World Cup until FIFA confirm the finals will be staged somewhere in Africa, the country's soccer governing body said on Saturday.

South African Football Association (SAFA) Chief Executive Danny Jordaan said he was still awaiting confirmation from the sport's governing body that a rotation system will be in place for 2010 -- starting with Africa.

His country narrowly lost the vote to stage the 2006 World Cup to Germany last year.

Jordaan, who ran the unsuccessful bid, said South Africa were keen to try again.

"But FIFA have to give content to the principle of rotation. The issue is clear now that we have to get FIFA to publicly say that the rotation starts on the African Continent," he said.

Jordaan said he would not discount a South African bid even if FIFA were not specific on the rotation principle, which is expected to be adopted by their Executive Committee when they meet in Argentina in July.

Morocco, who were also among five bidding countries for the 2006 finals, earlier this week announced plans to enter the race for 2010.

It will be the fourth attempt for the North African country, who lost out in previous bids for the 1994, 1998 and 2006 finals.

Jordaan had been critical of Morocco's last bid, which he denounced as unrealistic and said had detracted from South Africa's attempt last year to bring the World Cup to the African Continent for the first time.

But he refused to comment on Saturday on the North African country's latest entry, saying only it was not unexpected.

"One thing I can tell you is that the 2010 bid will be even more grueling than 2006," Jordaan added.

A formal announcement on a South Africa bid for 2010 is expected this year.

(Reuter)