We need coaches who understand African culture, Sono

South African football legend Jomo Sono has blamed the "diabolical" decision taken by some African teams to change coach in World Cup year for the continent's failure to get more than one team into the knockout stage of the tournament.

Four of the six African countries involved are already out, with Ivory Coast requiring a nine-goal swing on Portugal today to make it through and only Ghana sure of a place in the last 16.

Sono blames the lack of preparation time for coaches, and the failure of some foreign bosses to fully understand and acclimatise to the culture in the countries they represent.

Sono, who coached South Africa at the 2002 World Cup, said: "It is a norm in Africa that local coaches are only good for the African Nations Cup and European coaches are good when it comes to the World Cup, which to me is diabolical and doesn't make sense.

"At this stage to change a coach is a bit dicey. Five weeks (before the tournament) is too short for a World Cup, especially if the coach is coming from Europe. He needs to spend more time in the country and understand the culture of the people. Five weeks doesn't give you enough time."

Sono was largely referring to the appointment of Sven-Goran Eriksson as Ivory Coast coach in late March, with the Swede only properly getting to spend time with the players at a pre-tournament camp in Switzerland last month.

But Nigeria also only confirmed Lars Lagerback as coach in February after ditching Shaibu Amodu after the African Nations Cup.

Cameroon coach Paul Le Guen was also criticised for opting to reside primarily in France.

Sono and Senegal-born France midfielder Patrick Vieira were in agreement that the way forward is for more African coaches to receive the right training, and both believe that Europeans coming in could play a part in this, as well as FIFA and the Confederation of African Football.

Manchester City man Vieira said: " I hope in the new generation we will have African coaches. I am sure there are African coaches who are qualified but they need someone to give them the chance.

"When you look at the African teams in the World Cup, you don't have (many) African managers.

"It is important that when European coaches come in, that in the staff they have African assistants because they will learn being next to European coaches.

"It is something that has to change because when you look at the export of players to Europe from Africa it is impressive but on the other side it is taking too long to give them chances (as coaches)."

Sono added: "If you bring a highly-experienced coach into Africa we must make sure he empowers our people. It doesn't make sense if a coach from Uruguay comes in with 10 people from Uruguay, because when he goes he leaves nothing behind.

"The rest (of the backroom staff) must be local people. It must not look like a minor issue. European coaches get a good education at UEFA and FIFA, and it is vital if a coach is appointed to coach Cameroon he must not live in France.

"He must be able to see local football, to understand the culture. We need good coaches in Africa who can add value into football."

Sono identified Ghana and Algeria as the two most impressive of the African competitors, and attributed that to their coaching continuity and to their concentration on a team ethic rather than a reliance on one or two big-name stars.

He said: "Algeria have surprised me. They played as a unit against England (to earn a 0-0 draw). Ghana don't have big-name players - what I call 'TV players'. It's a unit - they work for each other.

"It was unfortunate that Algeria got knocked out. Ivory Coast played well against Portugal and then gave it away (against Brazil).

"Africa can be too individual rather than collective. Being strong as a team is more important than relying on individuals - that's why I've been more impressed with Ghana and Algeria."