On Saturday, South Africa host Senegal in what is already being labelled as a ‘do or die’ 2018 World Cup qualifier at the Peter Mokaba Stadium with top spot in Group D awaiting the victors.

The Lions of Teranga boast a strong squad filled with Premier League stars such as Liverpool playmaker Sadio Mane, Everton midfield enforcer Idrissa Gueye and tricky Stoke City forward Mame Diouf.

Joining the talented trio is one of Europe’s most-coveted defenders in Kalidou Koulibaly, already an important member of Serie A side Napoli.

Mahlangu, who plays his club football at Dinamo Bucuresti, is relishing the task of coming toe to toe with Africa’s second-best side.

‘It’s going to be an interesting game and, of course, it’s not going to be easy,’ Mahlangu told KickOff.com. ‘We have to go there and fight for ourselves and the nation.

‘Our aim is to make the country proud as well as to make ourselves happy. We are working hard in training to prepare for the game, and we want nothing less than three points.’

The 27-year-old, now in the frame to start on Saturday following the injury to Dean Furman, insists his teammates will not be intimidated despite the star names they are up against. Instead, Shakes Mashaba is instructing his side to focus solely on the task at hand: pulling off a shock win and keeping their World Cup hopes alive.

The match kicks off at 15:00.