With Bafana Bafana taking Morocco on in their final Africa Cup of Nations Group D clash on Monday, DYLAN APPOLIS looks at three players who could fire South Africa into the knockout stages of the tournament.

Thulani Hlatshwayo

The Bafana Bafana captain played a crucial role in South Africa’s two opening fixtures in Group D against Ivory Coast and Namibia and conceded just one goal in the process.

Hlatshwayo’s ability to make crucial interceptions, and his aerial threat in defence and going forward, will play a key role in helping Bafana qualify for the knockout stages of the competition.

Themba Zwane

The Sundowns attacker was instrumental in going forward for South Africa and saw a lot of the ball in their previous game to help South Africa claim all three points against the Brave Warriors.

He has the quality to pop up in good areas and the technical ability to showing creativity in the middle of the park as well as down the right flank.

Although he lacked the final ball against Namibia, Zwane will give Bafana more presence in attack, adding pace down the right flank while creating chances by whipping in crosses into the area.

Percy Tau

The 25-year-old was not at his best in front of goal and squandered a few chances in the final third, but compensated by setting Bongani Zungu up for the winning goal against the Brave Warriors.

The former Mamelodi Sundowns attacker will prove difficult to deal with going forward and his work rate will surely help Bafana in defence and attack, which could give Bafana the much-needed confidence in the final third.