Newly-reappointed Bafana Bafana head coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said he believed the national team would reach at least the second round of the World Cup next June.

The Brazilian, who won the 1994 World Cup with his native Brazil, addressed the media in Johannesburg on Friday and spelt out his plans and the way forward for Bafana. It was Parreira's first media briefing after he was appointed two weeks ago to replace fellow countryman Joel Santana who quit last month after a string of poor results.

"I would not have accepted this position if I did not think Bafana had the ability to get past the knockout stages. After that the sky is the limit. A quarterfinal place is achievable.

"I would not be here if I did not have the confidence that the team could succeed at the World Cup."

He said Bafana could expect a "war" in the World Cup finals.

"We need to prepare as warriors and be prepared to fight all comers, lions, tigers, elephants, whatever. We must be prepared and I believe I will get the squad ready in time."

Parreira stressed that his reason for returning to coach Bafana was not because of the R1.6 million per month salary plus massive incentives offered by the South African Football Association (Safa). He left as national head coach last April due to his wife's ill health and recommended Santana whom he still rates as "a good coach."

Santana's 17 month reign ended after he won only one of their last nine matches. Safa then offered Parreira the job which he accepted.

"I am not here for the money. I am here because of the honour and privilege of leading the host nation to the World Cup. This is special to me. I had received my offer from other clubs and two national teams to coach them. It was going to take something special for me to leave Rio (de Janeiro) and this is it.

"I would not leave home for anything less. I want to finish what I started in February, 2007."

Parreira conceded that his first task would be to rebuild the confidence among the players.

"The best way to build up lost confidence is to get a winning mentality and to do that we have to start winning games. We have two friendly matches this month against Japan and Jamaica that are crucial to start the process of getting our confidence back."

Bafana play Japan who have qualified for the 2010 World Cup next June at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth next Saturday (November 14) and Jamaica in Bloemfontein on November 17.

Parreira outlined that he would have three months to prepare his squad ahead of the 2010 showpiece on home soil. He will take Bafana to Brazil for a month's training camp in Brazil in March where he will play at least 10 friendly matches. He plans more camps in Germany and at home.

"The camp in Brazil will do wonders for the players' confidence and they will learn a lot by playing against top Brazil sides while we are in camp."

Parreira outlined that 140 players had been used since he joined Bafana in February 2007. "Between myself and Santana, we played 47 matches. The time for looking for new talent is past. We have given enough players a chance. We need to start working on the players who will play at the World Cup."

He stressed that what had given him more confidence in what will be a tough assignment was the way Bafana performed in the Confederations Cup at home in June.

"We need to recapture the spirit on the field and from the fans that we saw in the Confederations Cup. Bafana did well against top sides like Brazil and Spain and there is no reason why we cannot succeed at the World Cup. In fact, we will succeed at the World Cup. Otherwise there would be no point in me returning as head coach."

He also warned that he will not tolerate any trouble makers in his squad.

Santana dropped both 'bad boys' Benni McCarthy and central defender Nasief Morris prior to the Confederations Cup for disciplinary reasons.

Blackburn Rovers striker McCarthy was selected for the friendly matches against Japan and Jamaica while Parreira said Morris, who plays in Spain, is still in his plans.

"I am not going to allow any disruptions in the camp. I wanted Benni back because he can offer us a lot of experience. But he must get fit and show commitment. It is up to him if he wants to play at the World Cup. The door is open and the ball is in his court."

Safa president Kirsten Nematandani said money would be no object in making sure Parreira succeeded.

"We have good sponsors and will do whatever it takes to assist Parreira and his technical team. The goal is to succeed at the World Cup and we, as Safa, are fully committed and behind Parreira and his technical team," said the newly appointed president.

Sapa

RSS
Digg
de.li.cious
facebook