The talk in the build-up to the game had all been about Slovenia coach Srecko Katanec’s bust up with star player Zlatko Zahovic and things got even worse for his side as they conceded a goal within four minutes.

Manchester United’s winger Quinton Fortune was fouled out on the left and when the free-kick speared into the box, Udinese forward Nomvethe appeared unmarked six yards out to send the ball past a startled Andre Arendse off his knee.

The goal left Slovenia really up against it. They seemed unable to inject any fire into their game in the intense humidity and South Africa were dictating play.

Leeds’ Lucas Radebe was booked on 10 minutes for a foul on Sebastjan Cimirotic, but with Slovenia unable to generate much attacking play.

Zahovic has proved to be disruptive on more than this one occasion with clubs and country, and Katanec had no more option that Mick McCarthy did with Roy Keane to send him home, but it robbed the Slovenians of their one real creative force.

Katanec’s performance on the line seemed to betray the Slovenians’ true feelings.

Arms wide, complaining at his players for simple errors. It did not bode well.

It was 34 minutes before they had a serious chance when Doni Novak did well to get down the right and cut inside to find a shooting chance he spurned in favour of a pass back to Milenko Acimovic, who drove over from 18 yards.

Muamer Vugdalic was then booked for a foul, and South Africa almost scored again when Sibusiso Zuma squirmed down the by-line and saw his layback wasted.

Slovenia had to substitute the limping Cimirotic five minutes before the break, Milan Osterc taking over up front.