Injuries aggravate South Africa's serious problems

Crystal Palace's Dikgacoi had a knee problem which flared up again and Chabangu hurt his groin, having injected a glimpse of much needed urgency for the struggling Bafana Bafana in the second half of Sunday's poor 0-0 draw with Cape Verde to start Group A.

"It's unfortunate, whenever a player is injured, it's a blow," coach Gordon Igesund said on Tuesday, "but we have enough depth in the team and have to get on with it."

Desperately short of midfield creativity and attacking threat at Soccer City against the inexperienced Cape Verdeans, the host's hopes of avoiding a humbling first round exit may now rest with striker Katlego Mphela and Ajax winger Thulani Serero — neither of whom are fully fit.

The pair played some part in the second half at Soccer City, but Mphela is out of shape after a lay off and Serero, Igesund said after the opening game, is struggling to play more than 35-40 minutes after his own injury problems.

South Africa's challenge is quickly unraveling at its home Cup of Nations and the team's struggles may have a knock-on effect for the tournament if fans become disheartened and stay away.

Also playing on the players' minds, Igesund said, is constant talk of the 1996 South African team, which won the African Cup on home soil the last time the country hosted the event.