The South African government says it has donated $900,000 to the organizing committee of the African Cup of Nations.
South African Foreign Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma made the announcement in Pretoria.
The Malian government approached South Africa for assistance in November in a desperate attempt to salvage the tournament.
Mali`s ambitious plans for hosting the event have stretched the country to the limit.
"They approached our government for help when it became clear there were things they could no longer provide with their resources", Dlamini-Zuma said.
"The South African government decided to help in the spirit of the African Renaissance. It is in our interests that the event should go smoothly", she added.
"We believe strongly that when a sister
country is hosting a major event like that, it should be possible for all of us to chip in."
World Cup target
The South African government also lobbied companies to offer help.
Many responded, and the aid package includes 17 buses, 30 cars, and a 37-seater aircraft to fly teams and officials to and from up-country venues.
Sports Minister Ngconde Balfour said the support was an investment towards securing the 2010 Soccer World Cup for the African continent.
"If we want to host events like the World Cup, we need to ensure that the success of the African Cup of Nations", he said.
"We want Fifa and other international bodies to judge us on what we can do as the African continent. In our minds, if everything runs well, 2010 will come to South Africa".
