Radebe voices fears that the hosts' biggest problem will be on the pitch, not off it

Every World Cup depends on having a successful home team. But three years out, commentators and fans in South Africa are getting jittery about their side.

'It's time for this team to wake up. It is very important to have a strong national team when you host the World Cup,' urged Fifa chief Sepp Blatter. 'The team should be ready for high-level competition by the time South Africa hosts the Confederations Cup in 2009.'

By this measure, the Bafana Bafana hardly set the world alight with wins the past fortnight over Canada and Lesotho. The good news is they still have nearly three years to get it right.

However, retired Bafana Bafana star Lucas Radebe, who was a rock at the back for Leeds United in the 1990s, and on the 1996 African Cup of Nations-winning side, thinks the next generation is the biggest concern.

'I do not want to compare with the 1996 team,' he said. 'The players now are very young. Not fully matured as professional players. If we want to make a mark at the World Cup there is a lot on their shoulders. But with a great coach like Carlos Alberto Parreira we should be able to achieve something. We have talented, skilful players. We will be OK at 2010 and I hope we will get to the second round. The big issue will be how to manage football going forward after that.

'I grew up in Soweto and I played street soccer. What we need now is a football structure to incorporate schools and township soccer, because schools football in Soweto is dead. We need Little League for under-10s and upwards.'