Mokoena Groin Injury a Concern for South Africa

While the hosts may be one of the weaker sides in the upcoming World Cup, they have enough quality which, combined with the advantage of home country familiarity, could scare their Group A opponents.  But the Bafana Bafana is not a team that can afford to have any of it few elite stars hobbled, and with captain Aaron Mokoena continuing to struggle with a groin injury, RFA has reason for concern.

Mokoena is being sparsely used by Portsmouth as the club hopes rest and care will help the midfielder recover for their May 15 appearance in the FA Cup final.  That approach does not suit Mokoena, who claims playing through his injury is the best course of action.

Regardless, like fellow Premier Leaguers Didier Drogba and Aaron Lennon, Mokoena it battling a wonky groin ahead of the World Cup.

No host nation has failed to make it out of group play.  South Africa's chance of doing the same is the most tenuous.  They are going to need Everton's Steven Pienaar to carry-over his club form, but if key players like Mokoena are hobbled ahead of the finals, South Africa will be unlikely to continue the host nation's string of group stage advancements.

Más:

•  BusinessDay - Parreira is still hoping Bafana can find an identity 
•  Pompey told they can't play in Europe - Times LIVE
•  World Cup 2010: 'It's do or die – we can't be the first ever hosts to fall at the group stage' - International, Football - The Independent