Back

 

Carlos Parreira Bafana Bafana coach Carlos Alberto Parreira is confident the senior men’s national team will reach the second round of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Addressing a huge media contingent in Johannesburg on Friday (06 November), the Brazilian said with the support of the nation, Bafana Bafana can go far. “The first target is the first round, and then the sky is the limit. We have to have the same spirit we had in the FIFA Confederations Cup. But I am full of confidence that we are ready, and we have to fight with the Lions, Tigers and Leopards – in fact the Big Five – to reach our goal. The World Cup is a War, we have to train like warriors,” said Parreira.

 

But he was quick to remind the nation that it is not going to be an easy task,” First of all we have to re-establish the confidence of the players, and that we can only do by getting positive results. And to achieve that we have to have a winning mentality,” he said.

 

When asked why he returned, an emotional Parreira said it was not easy for him to leave South Africa in the first place. “When I left the national team a few months ago I was obliged to do so due to my wife’s illness, but now she is fine and she will join me here in South Africa in January. I started this project with Pitso and Jairo and now I am back and happy. I have been following this team, have seen some improvement – and yes there were some setbacks but now I am here to finish something I started. I know we can do it, I know the commitment of the country, it’s a long way and the last result (SA 0 Iceland 1) showed we have to work hard,” said the Brazilian.

 

On the issue of his salary, Parreira reiterated what he said the first time he came to South Africa,” I am not here for the money, in fact I can do without it. I am here because of the priviledge of leading the host nation at the World Cup – now that is priceless!” he said. The Bafana Bafana coach also pleaded with the nation to embrace the national team.