EMOTIONAL PARREIRA BIDS FAREWELL
Carlos Alberto Parreira came close to tears as he bade farewell to South Africa on Tuesday, the World Cup adventure over but his pride intact, he said.
The 67-year-old Brazilian has coached at six different tournaments but won his first game at the helm of a team other than his native Brazil as South Africa beat France 2-1 in their last Group A match in Bloemfontein. It was result not enough to ensure progress to the next round but ensured a honourable exit
He choked back the emotion afterwards as he reflected on his two stints in charge of the team, the second from last November seeing just a single defeat in 15 matches.
“I’m happy I worked for this country and they gave me support. There is a real meaning when the people say they are proud of you. We had nothing before but what we did here was a great achievement.
“What these boys did for me over the last seven months, I have to thank them very much. I am so happy for this.”
Parreira said he believed he had left a base for his successor, who South African Football Association president Kirsten Nematandani said would be announced before the end of the World Cup.
“If I’m proud of anything, it is giving this side an identity. Now they have to look ahead to the (next) African Nations Cup and then the qualifiers for the next World Cup. I told them I want to be their guide in Brazil in 2014. I am waiting for them there,” he said at the post-match news conference.
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