South Africa’s Africa Cup of Nations fate is out of their hands after Sunday’s crushing 3-1 loss to Tunisia, prompting coach Carlos Alberto Parreira to look to the future.
South Africa came to Ghana intent on showing the world and their continental neighbours they could put up a stout showing when the World Cup comes to town in 2010.
But after an opening 1-1 draw with Angola, South Africa, brutally exposed at the back against the Tunisians, seem destined to make a third consecutive first-round exit.
Bafana Bafana’s only hopes of continuing their stay in Ghana rests on their Group D rivals — if Tunisia and Angola draw on Thursday they will both go through at the expense of South Africa and Senegal.
Parreira, who won the World Cup with Brazil in 1994, reflected: ”There’s still a mathematical possibility that we can qualify even if a draw between Tunisia and Angola means they go through.
”But we just have to get down to work and try to win our next match.”
Parreira, appointed on a $250 000-a-month salary, stressed that his side’s experience at this Africa Cup of Nations would stand them in good stead as they build up to the World Cup in two years’ time.
”My players are young and what’s important is what they are going to do in the future.
”There is hope for this team.” — Sapa-AFP