The 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa (OC) has congratulated Ghana on being the first African country to qualify for next year's finals.

Ghana qualified after beating Sudan 2-0 in Sunday’s World Cup qualifier in Accra, topping Group D and still with two games to spare.

OC CEO Dr Danny Jordaan said: “I am overjoyed that one of the continent’s greatest teams will be playing in Africa’s first FIFA World Cup. A long standing symbol of hope on the continent, Ghana is sure to win many fans in South Africa. We hope that they will go far in the tournament and do Africa proud.”

This is the second time Ghana have qualified for the FIFA World Cup – the first being in 2006 where they made it through to the second round.