The South African Football Association (Safa) have once again denied reports that they have approached former Bafana Bafana coach Carlos Alberto Parreira to return to South Africa to work with current coach Joel Santana. Where there is smoke, there is fire, says iafrica.com’s Khaya Ndubane.

The reason for this suspicion is that not so long ago Safa denied reports that they were going to appoint Parreira as Bafana coach — they hired him then...

And when Parreira left, Safa once again dismissed reports that they were going to appoint Parreira's countryman, Santana, as his replacement and once again the association made a U-turn on the decision. So, one cannot rule out the possibility of Parreira's return. But the real question is whether Bafana even need Parreira — my answer is 'no'.

I say this because Parreira was the one who recommended Santana in the first place. He believed that Santana's football philosophy was similar to his. So if Santana's tactics are failing Bafana, how is Parreira going to remedy this if he believes in the same tactics?

Parreira was given a chance and when he realised that Bafana's failure in the Confederations Cup might dent his CV, he ran back to Brazil — citing his sick wife as the reason for his quick exit from the Bafana job. Mind you his wife was already sick when he decided to take the Bafana coaching post, and I believe he used it as an excuse to up and leave.

And now that Parreira has seen that Bafana are not that bad, he decides to avail himself. But who can blame him? After all, South Africa is the land of opportunities where coaches are paid millions for making the national team play entertaining football without any real results.

Just ask Santana. He will tell you that he was hero-worshipped for winning only one game in the Confederations Cup. Some even believing that with Santana on board, Bafana will go on to qualify for the semifinals of the World Cup in 2010.

The fact is that South Africa were lucky to qualify for the semifinals of the Confederations Cup. They might not be lucky in 2010. So Parreira, be warned, your worst nightmare of failing to qualify Bafana to the next round in the World Cup might be realised if you decide to come back.

My advice, stay where you are!

  • Do Bafana Bafana need Parriera? Should Safa re-hire Carlos Parreira? Let us know what YOU think!
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