South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira warned his team to beware the threat of Uruguay striker Diego Forlan as his side chases a World Cup victory which could put the hosts within sight of the last 16.
"Forlan is a player we can't leave free," he said Tuesday ahead of the game against the two-time World Cup winner at Loftus Versfeld. "Our eyes should be on him all the time, for 90 minutes."
South Africa captain Aaron Mokoena also recognizes the threat of Forlan, who has twice been top scorer in both the Spanish league and Europe.
"They are a very experienced side, they defend very well, have got fantastic strikers as we know," Mokoena said. "Forlan has done will in the Spanish league. We have done some homework on them, analyze their strong points."
With all four teams level on one point each, Group A is finely balanced. But Parreira sets out to beat Uruguay at Loftus Versfeld on Wednesday rather than wait for a final group game against France in Bloemfontein June 22.
"We have got to win at least one of the next two remaining games, it's very clear for everybody," Parreira said Tuesday. "We have to win one of the two games otherwise it's going to be difficult to qualify. To finish with three points means we are out of the competition so it doesn't make sense to draw. I am prepared to take risks."
Parreira, whose team drew 1-1 with Mexico at Soccer City in the opening match of the competition on Friday, said he was glad the tension of the opening game has now gone as his players now feel more relaxed going into their second match.
"The most difficult thing for is was the pressure which was there for the opening game," he said, referring to the weight of expectation felt from the entire nation. "After we have played the first game we felt more comfortable even against a very good team like Uruguay. Now it's going to be an open game for us and for (Uruguay)."
The hugely experienced coach, who guided Brazil to triumph in the United States in 1994, is in his second spell with South Africa and does not plan many changes from the lineup that faced the Mexicans at Soccer City on the opening day of the competition on Friday.
Only one change is likely and, although he did not want to divulge it, it is likely to mean a recall for experienced leftback Tsepo Masilela to the starting lineup. He replaced Lucas Thwala in the second half against the Mexicans.
Nicolas Lodeiro is missing for Uruguay after being sent off in the draw with France but he was not expected to start anyway.
Coach Oscar Tabarez is adjusting his lineup to play with three forwards, with Forlan likely to drop deeper and play behind Suarez and Edison Cavani.
"The reason is to try and have an even distribution of players on the field to match the lineup of our opponents," Tabarez said. "They play with two lines of four with two forwards, and I didn't want too many men in one line.
"These three forwards have been very decisive players with their own clubs, and this is another reason I have decided to put them in the starting lineup."
Tabarez said he expected South Africa counterattacking football as that worked well against Mexico.
"South Africa are very enthusiastic and they could have scored more goals and won the match (against Mexico)," Tabarez said. "They have huge potential."
