Bafana Bafana captain Thulani Hlatshwayo urges all South Africans to rally behind the team as they face Libya in a crucial Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Sunday.

The South African national team will face the Libyans at the Stade Taieb Mhiri on Sunday (7pm) on Sunday.

They come into the game second in Group E, knowing that they only have to avoid defeat to secure a spot at the showpiece event in Egypt.

Stuart Baxter’s charges began their preparation with a training session in Tunis on Monday, and will travel to Sfax later on in the week.

‘We are fully aware of what this match means to the players, the entire travelling delegation, the Association, the fans and the whole country, and we believe we have what it takes to ensure that we get the needed result. However, we urge all South Africans to rally behind the team this weekend for this all-important game,’ Hlatshwayo told Safa.net.

‘We all know that Bafana Bafana is a team that can unite the nation and bring some positivity around the country – and that is why we need positive energies back home for us to do well against Libya.’

The Bidvest Wits captain is confident that Bafana will overcome Libya, as they remain the only nation unbeaten in Group E, while conceding only one goal in five games during the group stages.

‘Everyone is highly motivated in the camp and we know that we have a good chance of winning this encounter. We have conceded only one goal in five matches and haven’t lost a game in the qualifiers – which is an indication that we are doing something right, we just need to finish off what we started,’ he added.

‘We have to maintain our good form in defence, score the needed goals so they don’t even get a chance of coming back into the qualifiers – and most importantly stay focused the entire 90 minutes plus. The good thing is that qualification is in our hands, they need to win to overtake us, we have come too far to let it slip, hence the support from South Africans will be key.’

Bafana Bafana against Libya kicks off at 7pm.