Johannesburg - A lack of goals continues to haunt hosts South Africa as the 2010 World Cup countdown reaches the 200-day mark on Sunday.
The first African country to stage the quadrennial international football showpiece managed just 10 in 18 games this year with four-goal Katlego Mphela the leading scorer.
Gallery: Bafana vs Jamaica
Mphela and recalled Blackburn striker Benni McCarthy were paired for friendlies against Japan and Jamaica this month with expectations high that they could end the goal drought.
But drab goalless draws in Port Elizabeth and Bloemfontein reminded new coach Carlos Alberto Parreira of the mammoth task he faces to match his claim that Bafana Bafana (The Boys) can reach the quarterfinals next July.
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Against a Jamaican team that failed to qualify for 2010 and lacked its best two players, South Africa created just one clearcut chance with Mphela foiled by the right foot of goalkeeper Dwayne Miller after breaking through.
Miller was also extended by a McCarthy free kick, but if that is the best they can do against experimental 'Reggae Boyz' opponents, what price goals against the giants of world football?
It was even worse against Japan with a long-range drive from midfielder Siphiwe Tshabalala that was comfortably parried to safety the best Bafana could manage over 90 minutes.
This dismal form in front of goal moved national news agency Sapa to call McCarthy, back after an indiscipline-induced eight-month absence, an "overweight, bombastic striker with a virtual non-existent work rate".
Parreira, coach of the 1994 Brazil World Cup-winning team, puts on a brave face amid fears that South Africa will become the first host nation not to reach the second round.
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