Flamengo boss Joel Santana has revealed he is to be the new coach of South Africa.

After Carlos Alberto Parreira stepped down as Bafana Bafana boss for personal reasons, Flamengo vice-president Kleber Leite revealed Santana would quit after the final of the Rio de Janeiro state championship and head to South Africa.

And Santana confirmed the news, saying: "These things happen once in a lifetime.

"Quitting here is difficult. I'm heartbroken, but I am a professional. They (Flamengo players) will not become orphans. I will stay with them until the end."

Parreira, who took charge of the 2010 World Cup hosts in February 2007, announced his decision to stand down following talks with the South African Football Association on Monday.

Johannesburg's Sunday Times reported over the weekend that Parreira's wife was suffering from cancer, and just a day later the coach confirmed he was leaving his post to return to his homeland.

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