Parreira is returning to the job he vacated 18 months ago

There has been a mixed reaction to South Africa's decision to reappoint Carlos Alberto Parreira as national coach.

Bafana Bafana captain Aaron Mokoena has welcomed the move.

But the man who led them to glory in the Africa Cup of Nations in 1996 says he is disappointed.

"Carlos has been there and he's done it and at this level experience counts," Mokoena told the BBC's Sportsworld programme.

But Clive Barker said a local coach would have been a preferable appointment.

Parreira replaces Joel Santana, his fellow Brazilian, who left the job last Monday after a dreadful run of results.

"Safa might think Parreira gives us the best opportunity to do well next year but I wouldn't agree," Barker told the BBC.

"I wasn't surprised but I would have liked to see a local coach given the chance and I think Gavin Hunt would be the best choice."

Hunt has won two South African titles in a row with Supersport United.

But Barker says now that the decision has been made he will back Parreira in the role.

"It would be silly not to have a united front," he said.

Mokoena said Parreira's record and his knowledge of the Bafana squad marked him out as the right man.

And he pointed out that having a foreign coach will not be unusual at the finals.

"It's not only South Africa which have a foreign coach - the likes of England, Russia and Paraguay have all qualified with foreign coaches.

"The most important thing now is we have only eight months until the World Cup so I understand the importance of appointing Carlos Parreira."

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