The South African Football Association (SAFA) appointed Brazilian coach Carlos Alberto Parreira as their new national team coach, local media reported on Saturday. Parreira agreed to a deal with the 'Bafana Bafana' from 2007 till the 2010 World Cup finals, which will be held in South Africa. "Everything is signed and sealed, the association has delivered a world class coach, it's now up to him and our players to turn our side to a strong force," SAFA president Molefi Oliphant told SABC radio on Saturday. Parreira, who won Brazil the World Cup in 1994, was sacked from his second spell as coach following their quarter-final elimination. However, the 63-year-old earlier expressed delight at being offered the chance to take on the South African team. "It's an honor to receive an invitation from the South African national team as the country will be the centre of attention as hosts of the next World Cup," Parreira said. South Africa will kick off their 2008 African Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with coach Pitso Mosimane before Parreira takes on the team in January 2007.
