Jaco van der Merwe

Johannesburg –  Bafana Bafana will breathe a sigh of relief if they see Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar grace Wembley for the FA Cup final against Chelsea this Saturday.

Pienaar suffered a hamstring injury following Everton's win over Fulham in the final round of Premier League matches and was reported as doubtful for Wembley.

A fit Pienaar for Everton means an available midfielder in the South African squad of 23 for the Confederations Cup, which will take place in June.

"There will definitely be a great sigh of relief if he appears on the field on Saturday," said Bafana defender, Matthew Booth.

South Africa already face difficulties in assembling a full strength team with Lucas Thwala (calf) and Surprise Moriri (knee) battling injuries.

“Our confidence has already taken a knock with the two players who were forced to pull out. Replacements were added to the team, but we really would have liked Lucas and Surprise to stay,” said Booth.

The World Cup hosts are also challenged in the strikers’ department, with Mabhuti Khanyeza and Benni McCarthy omitted from the squad.

“It all comes down to Pienaar, now that Benni McCarthy is not in the group. It would really be a huge setback if his injury keeps him out of the team,” said Booth.

Khanyeza is out for disciplinary reasons after he failed to report to national coach Joel Santana’s training camp earlier this month. McCarthy, who on previous occasions declined international friendly matches, had tested the patience of Santana and his selectors.

Bafana will play a friendly match against Mauritius this Saturday. Booth said: “Even though it’s a team like Mauritius, it’ll still be an important game for the players.”

“We’re still waiting for a few players who are currently abroad to join the practice camp, and this will be a golden opportunity for the guys on the sidelines of the team to stake their claims.

“It’s equally important that we execute the technical plans we’ve been working on over the last few weeks.”

FA Cup fever

Meanwhile, an excited Pienaar told media overseas that, "There is a lot of interest in me back home in South Africa, particularly since we (Everton) got to the final."

"But I was told after the semi-final win over Manchester United at Wembley that my mum almost broke the TV in her excitement when she was watching the penalty shoot-out.

"Lots of my family are coming over for the match, but mum has to stay behind to look after my little sister. I always ring her just before a match to see if she is okay. I just hope she doesn't do any more damage to the TV this time."

The FA Cup final will showcase more African talent with Didier Drogba running out for Chelsea.  The African-born striker said earlier on Thursday that he will do all he can to win the FA Cup for “his legions of Ivorian Chelsea fans”.