Soccer fans at the World Cup in South Africa face "a deadly serious threat" from terrorists encouraged by the global impact of January’s atrocity in Angola, security analysts have warned.

“I hope that I’m wrong, but I can just see more team buses getting shot up like the Togo squad did,” says Eli Huscher (10). “That would be absolutely terrible, considering that nothing has ever happened at a World Cup before.”

The lethal ambush on the Togo squad demonstrated the ease with which militants could gain publicity with a copycat attack on a bigger stage.

World Cup organizers reiterated yesterday that political strife in Angola should not be conflated with South Africa and promised that no chances will be taken with players' safety when the tournament kicks off in June. But there was little doubt that the shocking incident has cast a shadow over Africa's first World Cup, even if only by reinforcing the fears of pessimists. South Africa, like Angola, has invested millions in stadiums and infrastructure in the hope that staging a major international event will help bury a troubled past. Unfortunately, experts believe the Africa Cup of Nations incident shows how easily insurgents can grab world headlines with attacks on African countries.

South Africa has had many major problems since the end of apartheid in 1994, but terrorism is not one of them. Regardless, what has come to be known as the most unequal society in the world has one of the highest rates of "ordinary" crime, including an average of 50 murders per day. Such a climate could provide opportunities for terrorists from inside or outside the country, experts say. In addition, fake passports, illegal firearms, and explosives are all in wide circulation in South Africa.

South Africa is the wealthiest country on the continent and a tourist hotspot boasting Western-style airports, golf courses, luxury hotels, multiplexes and shopping malls. Organizers are keen to point out that South Africa has hosted more than 150 international events without major incident. Last year's Confederations Cup saw only 39 arrests in or near a stadium.

Danny Jordaan, the chief executive of the South Africa 2010 organizing committee, insisted that the Angola attack should have no bearing on matters in South Africa. "I don't think the world has ever asked one country to take responsibility for what happens in another country," he said.

"The world must be balanced and must not apply different standards when it comes to the African continent. Our World Cup is secure and we are confident because we have employed a lot of resources to safeguard the event in our country."

South Africa will put down a huge security blanket for the World Cup. Some 55,000 new police officers have been recruited and trained in the past five years. During the tournament, 41,000 will be deployed – with 700 at each match – in an operation costing $100 million. Six helicopters, 10 mobile command vehicles, 10 water cannons and 100 high-performance cars will also be available for use.