Parreira slams soccer bosses

2007-09-27 16:05

Centurion - Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira criticised the South African soccer authorities for not showing more concern in his quest to shape up Bafana Bafana for the 2010 World Cup.

"We are hosting the World Cup in two-and-a-half years and people don't seem to understand the urgency in preparing the team for it," said Parreira.

"The Cosafa Cup is a pain in the neck as it is not a Fifa sanctioned tournament and clubs therefore don't want to release their players."

Parreira referred to his recent altercations with PSL clubs competing in the lucrative Telkom Knockout Cup this weekend.

Kaizer Chiefs are one of the teams who have refused to release players Parreira wanted in his team to face Botswana at the Super Stadium in Atteridgeville on Saturday in the semi-finals of the regional Cosafa Cup tournament.

"We agreed two months ago with the PSL and Safa about the players I wanted for this game, but now I had to change the team again," a visibly irritated Parreira said.

"We have a plan to build a team for the World Cup and we have to see more players to prepare properly. This is not good for South African football and it is not good for the team."

Platinum Stars goalkeeper Wayne Sandilands, Orlando Pirates defender Innocent Mdledle and Jomo Cosmos defender Thapelo Tshilo are among the new players called up for this modest tournament which Bafana have only won once in it's 11 year existence.

On the fringe of making the team

"This is not a big tournament, it's not like the African Cup and it's not known internationally, but it is a time for me to assess players who are on the fringe of making the team," said Parreira.

Wits keeper Moeneeb Josephs will captain the team and the former Ajax Cape Town star is happy to be part of Parreira's plan although it is not recognised as an official cap.

"It's an honour for us to play for the country, whether it's against an Mvela team or in the Cosafa Cup, the players are happy to be here," Josephs said.

"Moeneeb is a perfect example of a player who has played for South Africa but has not been called up recently. He is now with us to show his quality so that we may consider him in future," Parriera added the final say.

- SAPA