Parker uncertain

JOHANNESBURG: South Africa face a worrying 24 hours to find out if striker Bernard Parker will be fit for Thursday's Confederations Cup semi-final against Brazil. Parker picked up a minor knee injury in training on Wednesday and is due to undergo medical tests and in the run-up to kick-off. Coach Joel Santana reported: "Bernard had a slight problem and he was advised not to continue training. The Red Star Belgrade forward has been instrumental in getting South Africa into the last four with his two goals sinking New Zealand to help the hosts take the runners-up spot in their group. —AFP

Mandela wishes luck

JOHANNESBURG: Former South African president Nelson Mandela met the national team Bafana Bafana on Wednesday to wish them luck on the eve of their semi-final match against Brazil. The 90-year-old Nobel peace laureate greeted the players, who presented him with a green Bafana Bafana jersey that had his name stitched on the back. The Mandela Foundation said the democracy icon had requested the meeting to wish them luck ahead of the game. After taking office following the fall of apartheid, Mandela harnessed the popularity of sport in South

Africa to press his message of

racial reconciliation. — AFP