Following the outcry over the re-appointment of Brazilian Carlos Alberto Parreira, former Bafana Bafana coach Augusto Palacios has called on all South Africans to unite behind the national team.

Speaking exclusively to iafrica.com, Palacios said he understood the nation's call for the appointment of a local coach, but added that there is no use crying over spilt milk because Safa has already made the appointment.

"I was of the view that Safa will finally select a South African coach, but in the end I was not surprised about their selection of Parreira. Parreira knows the current Bafana players as he has worked with them before," said Palacios.

He added: "I also want to see a South African coach coaching Bafana one day, but Safa must choose wisely when they appoint the next Bafana coach. They must not just go for anyone, they must go for someone who can win something using the South African style of play.

"It's no use to select someone who has won a league, but who is not using a South African way of play. Let's face it, as much as they want results, South African soccer fans also support teams which win in style. They don't like boring football even if that boring football wins one league titles."

Palacios believes South Africa have a coach-in-waiting in current Bafana assistant coach Pitso Mosimane.

"Pitso cannot be a Bafana assistant forever; he needs to be given a chance to lead his country as well."

Asked whether Bafana have a squad to compete in the 2010 World Cup, Palacios was quick to say: "No".

"Even with Parreira on board, South Africa will be lucky to go into the advanced stages of the World Cup. Our preparations for the 2010 World Cup should have started way back when South Africa was announced as the next host of the World Cup. It's too late now!

"We lost a lot of time with this chopping and changing of coaches. You must remember that every time a new coach was appointed that meant that a new set of players were also selected as well.

"With Bafana losing so many matches I don't see that stopping anytime soon as Parreira will once again try to build a winning team prior to the World Cup," commented Palacios.


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