Ramatsiyi Moholoa

Ramatsiyi Moholoa

The majority of South Africans were not worried about the country's capability to host a successful 2010 World Cup, but are more concerned with the performance of Bafana Bafana at the event.

This is according to Anastasia Tsichlas, a member of the South African Football Association and Premier Soccer League's executive committees.

Speaking at the Sowetan Extra Time forum on Friday, Tsichlas did not mince her words when she called for the immediate return of Bafana Bafana coach Carlos Alberto Parreira.

Brazilian Parreira, whom Tsichlas accused of spending too little time in the country to map the way forward for Bafana Bafana, is currently in Brazil on compassionate leave.

This comes after Raymond Hack, Safa chief executive officer, announced last Thursday that Parreira's wife was in hospital and was scheduled to undergo surgery.

"If we have one thing to worry about in preparing for the 2010 World Cup, then it is Bafana Bafana.

"I have told Safa vice president Mohamed Mubarak by phone that the issue of Parreira must be on the agenda for the next executive committee.

"Parreira must be in the country. His work is here in South Africa. we must be serious. The World Cup is in our country and we are a little too soft on him.

"He works for us (Safa), we don't work for him. Parreira is a good coach, that is why we employed him.

"(But) it is too late for development, we have already lost two years. Parreira must attend Premiership, First Division and amateur league matches.

"We need a pool of 40 players. He must train them, go on tours to play against Brazil, Germany, Cameroon and other top countries."

Tsichlas said there was no doubt South Africa would host an even more successful 2010 World Cup.

Also present at Extra Time was Shoes Mazibuko, Bafana Bafana head of delegation.