South Africa are favourites to win the race ahead of Morocco and Egypt, who on Friday all made their final presentations to the 24-man FIFA executive committee, who will vote on Saturday.

Libya are also in the race but regarded as rank outsiders.

Tunisia, who had sought to co-host the event with Libya, withdrew their candidature on Friday.

A majority of 13 votes is needed by the winning country and lobbying efforts continued through Friday night as the three leading candidates made last-ditch efforts to secure support.

The final decision on which country will host the tournament will be announced by FIFA president, Sepp Blatter at midday (11 a.m.) on Saturday after the executive committee convenes at 9:15 a.m. (8.15 a.m.).

LAST CHANCE

All had a last chance to appeal to the powerful FIFA committee in 30-minute presentations on Friday.

Morocco's bid, headed by Prince Moulay Rachid, brother of King Mohamed VI, was the first to be heard and broke with tradition as it included overseas personalities rather than just nationals from the bidding country.

Senegal President Abdoulaye Wade addressed the executive committee on Morocco's behalf, as did the former prime minister of Spain Felipe Gonzalez.

Bid committee president Saad Kettani concentrated on convincing the executive of the integrity of Morocco's bid, the security of its finances, exceptional levels of safety and plans to invest in 'Football Without Frontiers', a programme for development in all of Africa.

South Africa made an emotive presentation with former president Nelson Mandela highlighting the country's apartheid past and the role football played in breaking down racial barriers.

JOYFUL RELEASE

Mandela, one of three former Nobel Peace Prize winners in a high-powered delegation, said football had provided the only joyful release for himself and fellow prisoners during his 27 years in jail for fighting against apartheid.

"While we were on Robben Island, the only access to the World Cup was through the radio," Mandela, 85, told FIFA.

South African president Thabo Mbeki said the prospect of the World Cup offered Africa a journey of hope, away from decades of conflict, division, poverty and war.

"Soccer's World Cup in Africa will reaffirm our common humanity and prove we all belong to one family.

"Help us to fully restore Africa's dignity as together we undertake a journey of hope crowned by the 2010 World Cup," Mbeki concluded.

The South African delegation also included Nobel peace prize winners FW de Klerk, the last Apartheid-era president who ordered Mandela's release from jail in 1990, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu as well as former world footballer of the year George Weah.

Egypt's bid emphasised the country's historical role in sport and its importance in the development of soccer in Africa.

PEACE AND SECURITY

It also stressed peace and security and Hisham Azmy, the bid co-ordinator, told FIFA not to doubt their ability to stage the World Cup.

"Do not have a single doubt that Egypt has the capability and motivation to hold the World Cup. We are and remain a pivotal force for peace and friendship in this troubled world."

Morocco are bidding for the fourth time while South Africa are in the race again for the second time after losing a controversial vote to Germany four years ago in the bid to host the 2006 event.

Saturday's votes will end more almost 18 months of campaigning, which began on December 31, 2002 when FIFA's deadline for African countries to submit their interest in hosting the 2010 event expired.

Nigeria were also among the early bidders but withdrew last September.

FIFA decided in 2001 that the World Cup would be held in Africa for the first time as part of plan to rotate it among the member continents.

South America are due to host the 2014 World Cup.