Bafana Bafana will look to seal the second of their two-leg tie against Mauritius in the 2016 African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers at the Stade Anjalay in Mauritius today.
The South Africans have an advantage over the hosts, after beating them 3-0 at the Dobsonville stadium two weeks ago.
Shakes Mashaba will be hoping his players do not underestimate their opponents.
With the Chan games only allowing players plying their trade in their respective country’s leagues, Mashaba has assembled a team of unknowns in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) and the National First Division (NFD) looking to make a name for themselves in international football.
More specifically, 12 of the initial 23-man squad were withdrawn by their clubs ahead of the first leg, as preparation by PSL teams for the 2015-16 campaign has started.
Players from Orlando Pirates had to pull out of the squad because of their ongoing CAF Confederations Cup commitments.
This, however, has given a platform for the likes of Siphelele Ntshangase, who plays for Black Leopards in the NFD, to shine for the team.
The midfielder is one of several players in the squad barely known in South African football circles.
However, the Leopards player has caught the eye of many football fans, with his lovely touches since making his Bafana Bafana debut.
Ntshangase has been in scintillating form.
The Leopards star grabbed the attention of many a football fan and impressed the national team head coach, particularly in the Promotion/Relegation play-offs. He scored nine league goals for the Limpopo side.
Ntshangase has already scored two goals for the senior national team, after netting a brace in the first leg clash against Mauritius and was named Man of the Match after that game.
Now a lot more is expected from the youngster.
“I’m nervous, but I will play my game. If I have to score 10 goals, then I will do it,” said Ntshangase with confidence.
The Leopards midfielder is the key player for Mashaba’s team going into this encounter.
Mauritius, on the other hand, will be looking to make amends after their two recent games.
Prior to their 3-0 loss to Bafana, they were thrashed 7-1 by Ghana in their opening game of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
They have so far conceded 10 goals and found the back of the net once in two matches.
The Islanders will be looking to get a win under their belt as they are playing at home.
But reversing a 3-0 deficit would prove to be a difficult task, especially with Ntshangase and company on form and looking hungry for more goals.