The unexpected has happened. And the news of Bafana Bafana coach Carlos Parreira's departure has naturally shaken many South Africans when we were beginning to look forward to brighter days ahead.
The unexpected has happened. And the news of Bafana Bafana coach Carlos Parreira's departure has naturally shaken many South Africans when we were beginning to look forward to brighter days ahead.
Inevitably Parreira's decision to quit comes as a cruel jolt after the heady bout of euphoria that greeted Bafana's impressive defeat of Paraguay recently.
The development will undoubtedly upset the rhythm of the national squad's preparations at a time when Parreira was gradually beginning to show his deft hand in cynical company.
Talk of quickly replacing Parreira by another top Brazilian coach suggests that the South African Football Association bosses are mindful of the fact that time is of the essence.
Any dilly-dallying will generate unnecessary criticism and, not least, demoralise the remaining technical team.
But given the nearness of the 2010 Fifa World Cup finals, shouldn't Safa be weighing other options such as roping in an experienced local to take charge?
We understand that such an option is dependant on how flexible Fifa is on the question of a local choice, given its previous insistence on an overseas coach to take over the reins.
Is this not the practical solution, seeing that an overseas coach will have to spend another year familiarising himself with the local football landscape?
Who comes after Parreira?
The unexpected has happened. And the news of Bafana Bafana coach Carlos Parreira's departure has naturally shaken many South Africans when we were beginning to look forward to brighter days ahead.
The unexpected has happened. And the news of Bafana Bafana coach Carlos Parreira's departure has naturally shaken many South Africans when we were beginning to look forward to brighter days ahead.
Inevitably Parreira's decision to quit comes as a cruel jolt after the heady bout of euphoria that greeted Bafana's impressive defeat of Paraguay recently.
The development will undoubtedly upset the rhythm of the national squad's preparations at a time when Parreira was gradually beginning to show his deft hand in cynical company.
Talk of quickly replacing Parreira by another top Brazilian coach suggests that the South African Football Association bosses are mindful of the fact that time is of the essence.
Any dilly-dallying will generate unnecessary criticism and, not least, demoralise the remaining technical team.
But given the nearness of the 2010 Fifa World Cup finals, shouldn't Safa be weighing other options such as roping in an experienced local to take charge?
We understand that such an option is dependant on how flexible Fifa is on the question of a local choice, given its previous insistence on an overseas coach to take over the reins.
Is this not the practical solution, seeing that an overseas coach will have to spend another year familiarising himself with the local football landscape?