Johannesburg - Bafana Bafana's star player Steven Pienaar will not be included in the squad to face Bulgaria on Monday night.
The Everton midfielder, who has been superb for both club and country, jetted into South Africa on Friday to join up with the national team.
He was afforded a week's rest by coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, as a reward for a season in which he was named the Toffees' best player.
"I want him to readjust," explained the Brazilian.
"He last played on May 9."
Meanwhile, Parreira has revealed the squad will not be expecting a goal fest against Bulgaria after defeating Thailand 4-0.
"Historically, they are a good team, irrespective of who's in it. They will give us a far bigger challenge than Thailand, he said."
Bafana's Group A opponents Mexico will face off against England on Monday night and Parreira is confident that his charges will do well against them on June 11 at Soccer City.
"My stomach tells me we will do well," Parreira said.
The Everton midfielder, who has been superb for both club and country, jetted into South Africa on Friday to join up with the national team.
He was afforded a week's rest by coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, as a reward for a season in which he was named the Toffees' best player.
"I want him to readjust," explained the Brazilian.
"He last played on May 9."
Meanwhile, Parreira has revealed the squad will not be expecting a goal fest against Bulgaria after defeating Thailand 4-0.
"Historically, they are a good team, irrespective of who's in it. They will give us a far bigger challenge than Thailand, he said."
Bafana's Group A opponents Mexico will face off against England on Monday night and Parreira is confident that his charges will do well against them on June 11 at Soccer City.
"My stomach tells me we will do well," Parreira said.