Only 20 percent of FIFA Confederations and 2010 World Cup tickets sold so far have been purchased by South Africans, said local organizing committee head Danny Jordaan on Tuesday.

"We are appealing to South Africans, this is your opportunity go out there and buy tickets. If you are waiting for a week or a month before the kick-off, you won't be able to watch the game," Jordaan told a press briefing in Johannesburg.

Eighty percent of tickets sold so far had gone to foreigners.

A total of 170,000 Confederations Cup tickets had been sold and 646,000 were still available on a first come, first served basis.

Jordaan urged South Africans to buy tickets so that the stadiums could be filled, for a "wonderful and memorable" World Cup.

By Tuesday, a total of 506,000 applications for 2010 tickets from 140 countries had been made online at FIFA.com since they went on sale on February 20.

South Africans could also make hard copy applications at First National Bank branches.

"The tremendous response is extremely exciting and gives us a great deal of confidence. It is now even more important for us to ensure that the FIFA Confederations Cup will be a success.

"As the tournament approaches, we will continue to promote the tournament vigorously and ensure all South Africans embrace this exciting FIFA World Cup appetizer," said Irvin Khoza, chairman of the LOC's board of directors.

FIFA secretary-general Jerome Valcke said the Confederations Cup would allow for a rehearsal of operations for the 2010 World Cup.

"Now it's only about delivery. We cannot move the kick-off, we can't say 'sorry, there's going to be a delay'," Valcke said.

He said he was disappointed at not seeing a single promo of the Confederations Cup in and around Johannesburg.

"There's nothing not even at the airport that shows you that this is Confederations Cup host city. We appointed a signage company today (Tuesday) to promote it."

The stadiums for the Confederations Cup were ready, he added.

(Xinhua News Agency March 4, 2009)