Struggling South Africa held by Jamaica
Reuters - Tuesday 17 November 2009, 20:54
BLOEMFONTEIN - Goal-shy World Cup hosts South Africa made it more than six hours without finding the net when they were held to a goalless draw by Jamaica in a friendly on Tuesday.
The home team started well but quickly ran out of ideas, recording a fourth successive game without a goal.
Blackburn Rovers striker Benni McCarthy, recalled for this game and Saturday's 0-0 draw with Japan in Port Elizabeth, again had no luck before he was taken off in the second half.
He did, however, go close when a rasping free kick in the 23rd minute was superbly tipped over by Jamaica goalkeeper Dwayne Miller.
Miller also made another early save from Katlego Mphela but South Africa might well have lost the game had captain Aaron Mokoena not cleared off the line after Dane Richards beat the goalkeeper following a mazy run.
The 2010 hosts have scored only 10 goals in 18 matches this year, winning five games and losing 10.