/ 8 October 2006

Parreira still optimistic about South Africa

Carlos Alberto Parreira said on Saturday he was still optimistic over taking charge of South Africa even though he faces the possibility of starting the job next year with this new side in a precarious position.

The Brazilian said the challenge of leading the team at the 2010 World Cup finals filled him with optimism but conceded there was concern about the country’s chances of qualifying for the 2008 African Nations Cup finals.

After being held to a draw at home in their first qualifier last month, South Africa now face the possibility of going five points behind main rivals Zambia if they lose in their crunch Group 11 game in Lusaka on Sunday.

Parreira, who is in Lusaka to watch the game ahead of taking over the South Africa post in mid-January, said the country faced a massive challenge if they were to be competitive at the 2010 finals, which they will be hosting.

”I am still optimistic and still positive for my work which starts next year. But we have to work a lot in South Africa on creating the right infrastructure and organisation.

”We won’t reach the heights we want to if good ground work is not laid down,” he said in an interview.

Parreira said he would not be involved in preparations for Sunday’s game in Lusaka, preferring only to observe.

”But I’m picking up a lot about the players, about the culture, about the behaviour.

”When I do get involved, then I’ll really be involved. I don’t believe in doing a half job. It has been a good idea to just come and watch and to see what kind of foundation we need.”

Parreira’s first game in charge will be a Nations Cup qualifier in Chad in March but by then South Africa face the possibility of being considerably behind in their group standings, if the lose on Sunday.

Only the winner of the 12 qualifying groups plus the three best second-placed finishers qualify for the 16-team Nations Cup finals in Ghana in 2008.

Parreira led Brazil to the 1994 World Cup title and also took charge of them at this year’s tournament in Germany. – Reuters