Tournament News
SAFA gets behind Parreira
2009-11-06 16:55
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SAFA president Kirsten Nematandani has thrown his weight behind Bafana Bafana coach Carlos Alberto Parreira as he prepares for the upcoming 2010 World Cup.
Addressing media in Johannesburg on Friday, Nematandani assured all South Africans that the association and the coach share the same vision.
“We sat down with the coach and we all agreed on the objectives. We believe that the team would most probably reach the quarterfinals,” said the Safa president.
Nematandani said money would be no object in making sure Parreira succeeded. "We have good sponsors and will do whatever it takes to assist Parreira and his technical team. The goal is to succeed at the World Cup and we, as Safa, are fully committed and behind Parreira and his technical team," said Nematandani.
Parreira acknowledged the association’s support and believe that it is important that the technical team is left to do their job without any interference.
Parreira said he believes the core of the team is already there and that his is to start preparing the team. Bafana will tour Brazil and Germany as part of the preparations.
“The experience of playing Brazilian teams as part of the preparations will benefit the team enormously.”
“While I was in charge of Kuwait and Saudi Arabia for World Cup preparations, training in Brazil proved to be beneficial to those teams. I also took Turkish side Fenerbache there and the very year they won the Turkish championship,” said the 1994 World Cup winning coach.
Parreira said it is important to start building a winning mentality. “I want to win every game.”
Bafana will take on Jamaica and Japan in international friendlies this month.
“The two friendlies are important as they will afford players to get their confidence back,” said Parreira.
Parreira has also appealed to the nation and the media to get behind the team. “Support the players and get them committed. We will deliver what everyone is expecting from the nation,” concluded the Brazilian.