Bafana Bafana skipper Thulani Hlatshwayo says it’s time for South Africa to focus and get back to playing in major tournaments.
“Tyson” and the manne tackle Libya in Durban this Saturday for the leadership of Afcon 2019 qualifying Group E.
And having beaten Nigeria 2-0 in the opening game of the campaign last year, the captain says they can’t throw all their hard work away against the 101st-ranked team in the world.
The Wits defender believes that beating the Super Eagles ahead of the west Africans’ poor showing at the World Cup, means they have to wrap up qualifying as soon as possible.
The rightback says: “We’re obviously not happy to have sat at home watching Senegal and Nigeria playing at the World Cup, knowing very well that we had beaten Nigeria away in the Afcon.
“We need to make sure that we apply ourselves on Saturday.
“This game is so important, also because there are a few guys in the squad for whom this might be their last opportunity to represent their country in an Afcon.
“If we can win on Saturday, and beat Seychelles twice, by the time Nigeria come here [in November] we can have secured our place.”
With injuries hitting the squad ahead of the big game, Tyson is keen on seeing the likes of winger Vincent Pule and versatile SuperSport United ace Aubrey Modiba shine.
He adds: "It’s an opportunity for the other players to step up, especially Pule, if they get the chance to show their talent.”