Blatter offered a blunt assessment of South Africa's chances

The head of football's world governing body Fifa, Sepp Blatter, says he is disappointed with 2010 World Cup hosts' South Africa's recent results.

He says time is running out for the team to be competitive during their own tournament.

Bafana Bafana have already failed to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations in Angola in 2010.

Blatter is on a visit to meet political leaders and inspect stadium construction.

He praised progress at the new Green Point stadium in Cape Town, but was blunt in his assessment of the host's chances on the field in 2010.

"I'm very disappointed that since 2004, when South Africa was awarded the hosting of the World Cup, the results of the team have not been good," he said.

"South Africa won the African Nations Cup when they were newcomers in 1996 but barring a miracle they will not qualify for the 2010 tournament.

"I can't understand why this has happened.

"Tomorrow I will speak openly to the leaders of South African football in plain language and tell them they are running out of time."

South Africa's 1-0 home defeat by Nigeria earlier this month has left them out of contention to qualify for the 2010 Nations Cup finals in Angola.

The team were also beaten 1-0 by Guinea in a home friendly last Tuesday.