S. Africa confident of posting first win

JOHANNESBURG: South Africa claims it has shrugged off opening day World Cup jitters and will be much more enterprising against Uruguay on Wednesday.

The players admitted in the wake of their 1-1 draw with Mexico in Friday's first game of the tournament they were very nervous and fortunate not to be trailing by half-time.

“For most of us it was our first World Cup game,” midfielder Steven Pienaar offered by way of explanation.

But, almost to a man, the South Africa players told reporters a new-found confidence would be evident from the start of Wednesday's Group A match at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

“Our goal is to get to the knockout round and we are confident of doing that,” said central defender Bongani Khumalo.

Start on high note

Fullback Siboniso Gaxa added: “It is very important to win if we want to qualify. We have to start this time on a high note and I know we are going to do our level best.”

South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira has suggested four points might be enough to reach the knockout phase — a possibility that was only a dream just a few months ago when it was the lowest ranked of the 32 finalists.

With a point from the opening match and a final group game to come against former World champion France, the Bafana Bafana regards Uruguay as its best hope of claiming a victory. “We won't change anything about our plans. It's all about hard work and confidence and self belief,” added Siphiwe Tshabalala, who scored a stunning goal against Mexico.

His strike helped reinforce the amazing turnaround in fortunes for a South Africa side that has now gone 13 games without defeat over the last eight months.

Similar ambitions

Uruguay will have similar ambitions in a match it would also have targeted as the easiest of its Group A encounters.

Striker Luis Suarez is likely to be given another chance to make an impression despite failing to sparkle for La Celeste in the way he has for his club Ajax Amsterdam.

Oscar Tabarez's side, having earned a point with a dogged display in a goalless draw with France in Cape Town on Saturday, will need to go on the attack against South Africa.

“Our next match requires a new dimension. We always say the first game defines how the group will evolve but in this instance the next game now will shape the group,” said Tabarez.

Missing Lodeiro

He has lost the option of playing Nicolas Lodeiro, who is suspended after being sent off against France, and is likely to stick with the same line-up as in the opener.

“Suarez didn't give his best perhaps, but there were certain circumstances,” Tabarez said.

“It's not good to change players who didn't give their best performances, then they lose even more confidence.”

Likely XI: South Africa: Itumeleng Khune; Siboniso Gaxa, Bongani Khumalo, Aaron Mokoena, Lucas Thwala; Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Kagisho Dikgacoi; Teko Modise, Steven Pienaar, Simphiwe Tshabalala; Katlego Mphela.

Uruguay: Fernando Muslera; Diego Lugano, Diego Godin, Mauricio Victorino; Maximiliano Pereira, Diego Perez, Egidio Arevalo-Rios, Alvaro Pereira; Diego Forlan; Luis Suarez, Edison Cavani . — Agencies

South Africa (4-2-3-1): With spirits high after the opening day draw against Mexico, and with a fully-fit squad to choose from, Carlos Alberto Parreira is likely to name an unchanged eleven against Uruguay.

How well South Africa's wingers utilise the space on either side of Uruguay's back three could determine the direction of the contest.

Uruguay (3-4-1-2): Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez has indicated that he will play Atletico Madrid star Diego Forlan in a withdrawn role behind strikers Luis Suarez and Edison Cavani, in a bid to increase his team's goal threat following the goalless opening-day draw against France.

In addition, Tabarez will be unable to call on midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro, who was sent off against France.