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Johannesburg - Bafana Bafana coach Carlos Alberto Parreira admits his team's failure to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations is hurting their World Cup prospects.
South Africa failed to reach the continental showpiece under the ill-fated reign of Joel Santana and instead of tackling Africa's elite in Angola, they will now have to make do with playing minnows Swaziland (training match) and Zimbabwe (official friendly) on 23 and 27 January respectively.
Nevertheless, Parreira remains hopeful his charges can find form and fitness in the upcoming training camps in Brazil and Germany.
"It is something. We were looking forward to being there; there is competitiveness (there)," the Brazilian-born mentor said in a press conference.
"Unfortunately, we did not qualify, so we have to look to the Brazil and Germany camps.
"We will play Brazilian first division teams and German first division teams, and in May we will play three more strong teams to give us that competitiveness."
Parreira also voiced his concern at the number of South Africans who are simply warming the bench in Europe.
"The players are not playing and that worries us a lot," he added.
"This weekend, only two players out of 20 played. It has been going on like this for months.
"That does not help us at all and this is why this camp (in Durban) will be helpful to build a team we can count on at the World Cup.
"We must be aware that it is not possible to have all our overseas-based players (for the training camps in Brazil and Germany).
"But in case we cannot rely on overseas-based players, we have these local-based players ready."
South Africa failed to reach the continental showpiece under the ill-fated reign of Joel Santana and instead of tackling Africa's elite in Angola, they will now have to make do with playing minnows Swaziland (training match) and Zimbabwe (official friendly) on 23 and 27 January respectively.
Nevertheless, Parreira remains hopeful his charges can find form and fitness in the upcoming training camps in Brazil and Germany.
"It is something. We were looking forward to being there; there is competitiveness (there)," the Brazilian-born mentor said in a press conference.
"Unfortunately, we did not qualify, so we have to look to the Brazil and Germany camps.
"We will play Brazilian first division teams and German first division teams, and in May we will play three more strong teams to give us that competitiveness."
Parreira also voiced his concern at the number of South Africans who are simply warming the bench in Europe.
"The players are not playing and that worries us a lot," he added.
"This weekend, only two players out of 20 played. It has been going on like this for months.
"That does not help us at all and this is why this camp (in Durban) will be helpful to build a team we can count on at the World Cup.
"We must be aware that it is not possible to have all our overseas-based players (for the training camps in Brazil and Germany).
"But in case we cannot rely on overseas-based players, we have these local-based players ready."
