Former South Africa captain Neil Tovey criticized the host nation's performance at the World Cup so far and coach Carlos Alberto Parreira's tactics in the 3-0 defeat to Uruguay.
Tovey he thought South Africa should have played two strikers up front against the Group A rival Wednesday instead of a 4-5-1 formation. The defeat left Bafana Bafana facing elimination from the tournament.
South Africa has to beat France in the last group match on Tuesday to have a chance to remain in the tournament.
``I'm very disappointed with the effort,'' Tovey said Friday. ``In the first game (against Mexico) we played well in the first half, and that was it. We've only played one half in this tournament.''
The 48-year-old Tovey, who made 52 appearances for South Africa and led the country to the African Cup of Nations title in 1996, is working for South African television during the World Cup.
``I don't think we played the right formation (against Uruguay),'' he added. ``We should have played with two strikers up front. We do not have the right midfield to play with a single striker.''
Tovey said striker Katlego Mphela wasn't getting enough of the ball and midfielder Steven Pienaar was playing with his back to goal, ``which is unlike him.''
Mphela shared the view, saying Thursday that he was starved of the ball by South Africa's midfielders.
Tovey, who is now coaching South African club Amazulu, suggested some changes, including introducing forward Bernard Parker to sharpen the attack.
He also called on South Africans not to shun the World Cup if the team is eliminated.
``We are hosting a wonderful tournament and we have to be proud of that,'' he said. ``The nation must continue to support the tournament.''
