Bafana Bafana winger Thulani Serero insists the upcoming African Cup of Nations qualifier showdown with Egypt is a must-win affair.
South Africa face the seven-time and defending AFCON champions in a crunch qualifier at Ellis Park on Saturday.
And Serero, who is currently in camp with Bafana, is confident they can topple the continental giants.
“The game against Egypt is a must-win because we are playing at home and victory will make things easier for ourselves when we travel to Cairo,” he said.
“Playing them at home first gives us an advantage of doing well, but we should be well aware that it’s going to be very a tough match, they are not an easy side to defeat. We have to be at our best to come out with a victory.”
The 20-year-old is naturally hoping for game-time on the weekend after starring for Ajax Cape Town this season.
“We have been working very hard as a team because everyone is fighting for a place in the side and hopefully the results will go our way at the end of the day,” he said.
“As for me I am under no pressure at all to take my club form to the national team, but should I be given a chance I will certainly stick to my kind of game, no need to change anything because I am in Bafana Bafana.
“And like any other player here in camp, yes I would like to get an opportunity to represent my country but I know my time will come.”
Bafana enter the tie with confidence as they top Group G with four points, three more than bottom-placed Egypt. Niger are second with three points, with Sierra Leone a point behind. All four have played two games.
Meanwhile, Wits goalkeeper Darren Keet is full of confidence ahead of South Africa’s AFCON qualifier with Egypt.
Keet, who is vying with Wayne Sandilands to provide cover for Bafana first-choice Itumeleng Khune, is on camp with the national team at the Royal Marang Grounds in Rustenburg.
“This week has been a great one, working with the best goalkeepers in Itumeleng Khune and Wayne Sandilands, one can only learn more from them,” he said.
“Bafana Bafana haven’t conceded too many goals in recent matches which tells you that the defence has been solid and we need to continue with that against Egypt who we know can be very dangerous. But we have some of the best players in the country here in camp so there is no reason we should not win this one.
“We should not put ourselves under pressure though, but we know what we must do and we just have to go out and win.”
The 21-year-old added that Bafana’s steady rise up the FIFA world rankings has bolstered their belief.
Bafana are currently 46th in the standings, nine places behind The Pharaohs. However, the hosts top their AFCON qualifying group with four points from two games, while Egypt are at the bottom with a point from as many matches.
