Bafana eager to face Niger

South Africa are confident of handing Niger their first home defeat in more than three years in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Sunday, according to Bafana Bafana head coach Pitso Mosimane.

“I believe in my players,” Mosimane said on Saturday.

“I am positive that we will come back with a positive result.

“I am not underestimating Niger but I don’t see any reason why we can’t go back home victorious.”

South Africa are top of their group with eight points, with Niger in second, two points adrift, and Mosimane said there were no fears of facing a squad that had been unbeatable at home in the qualifiers.

Bafana were undefeated away from home in qualifying games against Sierra Leone and Egypt.

“We went to Sierra Leone and Egypt, and in my view the match in Cairo we should have won because they were there for the taking,” Mosimane said.

“If we use the same mentality that we employed in Freetown and Cairo I am confident we will do well.

“I am aware they [Niger] defeated Egypt and Sierra Leone when they were here, but this is a different match and we must just stick to our plan.” Niger last lost a home game at the General Seyni Kountche Stadium on June 14, 2008, when they went down 2-0 to Benin.

Bafana team management said striker Katlego Mphela’s knee injury, which saw him banished from training since Tuesday, would be assessed later on Saturday.—Sapa