Sibaya scotches 'negative' talk of South African unrest

(AP)

Macbeth Sibaya has denied reports of a rift in the South Africa camp, insisting the team is focused on their final Group A match against France.

Bafana Bafana's hopes of qualifying for the last 16 suffered a massive blow on Wednesday when they were thrashed 3-0 by Uruguay. It leaves them with a single point from their first two games and on the brink of becoming the first host nation to bow out at the first hurdle.

Reports emerging after the Uruguayan loss suggested there may be differences between coach Carlos Alberto Parreira and captain Aaron Mokoena, but Sibaya said: "I suppose now that we lost, the journalists need negative stories. There is no tension or problems amongst anyone."

Midfielder Sibaya, who plays for Russian side Rubin Kazan, insists they will now give everything in a bid to gain their first win of the competition. He added: "We need to show more character and more fighting spirit."