I think we should admit that World Cup glory is more remote than ever before, after Carlos Alberto Parreira's sudden departure.

I think we should admit that World Cup glory is more remote than ever before, after Carlos Alberto Parreira's sudden departure.

We must do our utmost to absorb the negative effect that Parreira's resignation might have on our country, but we must admit that we have been dealt a big blow.

We are less than two years from hosting the 2010 football showcase and Parreira's departure is a clear indication that we do not have enough time to prepare our team.

It took most big nations a good number of years to be in fine shape to win the World Cup tournament.

Brazil is a classic example and Parreira knows this very well. Two years is not enough to build a World Cup winning team.

The question that must be asked is: did he not know that he would miss his family? I find Parreira's reason not only annoying but absurd.

He has seriously underestimated our country's intelligence and should be made to pay for putting us in this unfortunate position.

As for who leads the troops now, I am not really concerned because time is not on our side.

So I suggest that we continue with business as usual and and prepare to welcome the world to our state-of-the-art stadiums.

Let us not put much faith in our team. Our hopes have been dealt a big blow. Aluta continua, Bafana.

Reynold Thakhuli, Tshwane