It might have been music to the ears of many South Africans to hear Bafana's new coach, the Brazilian Carlos Alberto Parreira, pronounce the team's three-day training camp a success

It might have been music to the ears of many South Africans to hear Bafana's new coach, the Brazilian Carlos Alberto Parreira, pronounce the team's three-day training camp a success

It might be early days though to express euphoria, but we must be emboldened by the coach's optimism amid nationwide cynicism and pessimism.

The coach's positive comments starkly contrast with the doom-saying that resounded ahead of his arrival to take up the hot seat.

Also promising are Parreira's comments acknowledging the prevalence of talent, potential and a steely infrastructure in the country.

True, building a national squad is a formidable challenge requiring commitment, hard work and support from all. Especially since not even a nucleus squad exists to account for the millions spent on Bafana by Safa in the past five years.