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Parreira officially appointed

Brazil - Carlos Parreira has been appointed head coach of Bafana Bafana, returning to the job he left a year ago, the SA Football Association announced on Friday.

South African football association spokesman Morio Sanyane told The Associated Press on Friday that the former Brazil coach has agreed to a second stint with the team. He will replace another Brazilian, Joel Santana, who left his post Monday after a series of losses in the buildup to South Africa hosting next year's World Cup.

Parreria confirmed the move in an interview on Brazilian television. He said he met Thursday with the president of the South African federation, Kirsten Nematandani, who essentially offered him the job.

Parreira led his native Brazil to the 1994 World Cup title. He took over the South Africa team in 2006 but resigned last year to be with his ill wife.

South Africans will now hope he can turn the team's fortunes around before the World Cup starts on June 11. The team has been left in disarray after a series of losses that has seen South Africa slump to 85th in the FIFA rankings.

However, there were calls for a local coach to be hired after a succession of foreigners.

"SAFA would have preferred a local coach but due to time constraints opted for Parreira because he understands the culture and because of his availability," Sanyane said. "It will be easier for him to fit in and continue where he left off."

Parreira is reported to have set down a list of demands that include when training would start for the national team.

He is reported to want national team training to begin in Brazil in March, with another training camp set for Germany in May.

The World Cup opens June 11.
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