South Africa Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira Confident Ahead Of 2010

The Brazilian, who will be coaching in his sixth World Cup, was clearly not short of confidence while speaking to the press in Newtown on Friday.

“This is priceless,” he said in reference to participating at football’s biggest show-piece.

“I want to be there and I want to do well at the World Cup. If I didn’t think South Africa can get past the first round, why would I come back? I’m full of confidence,” he stated, according to Kickoff.com.

This is a man who won the World Cup with Brazil in 1994, but also a man who was fired during a World Cup. When he was in charge of Saudi Arabia at the 1998 World Cup in France, he was sacked after two games; a 1-0 loss to Denmark and 4-0 loss to France.

He had been removed by the time the Saudis drew 2-2 with Bafana in their last group match.

In fact, his only success as a coach in a World Cup was with Brazil. He suffered first round exits with Kuwait (during the 1982 World Cup) and United Arab Emirates (in 1990).

However, Parreira is confident he can do better with Bafana.

“If we play with the same spirit as we did during the Confederations Cup, then we are going to do well. I believe we will do our best. Once we reach the second round, anything can happen, the sky is the limit from there,” he said.