HAVING just taken over the job in March, South Africa coach Jomo Sono used recent events to help inspire his team to its first ever World Cup victory.

Siyabonga Nomvethe recorded his seventh goal for South Africa, which rarely was threatened by Slovenia en route to a 1-0 victory in a Group B matchup.

"Bafana Bafana" improved its all-time record to 1-1-3 after failing to advance past the opening round at France '98.

South Africa needs to register at least a draw in its final group match against Spain to clinch a spot in the second round for the first time and Somo sees every reason to have confidence in his side.

"I think we can play better, if we are not under pressure," he said. "For now, we are under pressure because we want to go to the second round. In football games, anything is possible. Who would've thought Senegal could beat France and the USA could beat Portugal."

A former South African international, Somo took over as coach of the national team after Carlos Queiroz resigned following the country's poor showing at the 2002 African Nations Cup.

The lone goal came in just the fourth minute. Nomvethe, who replaced the injured Pierre Issa in the starting lineup, managed to bundle the ball into the net with his thigh off a free kick from Manchester United's Quinton Fortune.

Minus star player Zlatko Zahovic, Slovenia recorded just one shot on goal, lost its second match and was eliminated from the tournament. Slovenia's all-time leading goal-scorer, Zahovic was kicked off the squad following a disagreement with coach Srecko Katanec.

"I am proud of my team. I think my team today played a good game. I think South Africa were a better team because they scored after a free kick," Slovenia coach Srecko Katanec said.

"We are a competitive team as we showed in the match against Spain. I think today we played good football. We want to win one game in the World Cup."

Katanec seemed to take out his frustration on the fourth official, leading to his banishment to the stands from the bench.

"If the fourth referee would be honest, he'll say what happened, because it didn't happen, nothing," Katanec said. "A coach can say some things if it was a foul for us or for the other team. I don't know why he sent me up."

In addition to dead-ball situations, Fortune supplied crosses from the left side of midfield to star for South Africa.

In the 65th minute, Fortune's cross nearly helped double "Bafana Bafana's" lead. But Benni McCarthy headed the ball off the outside of the left post.

Slovenia did not get a shot on goal until the 70th minute, but Spasoje Bulajic's header was saved well by goalkeeper Andre Arendse.

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