Bafana Bafana skipper Thulani Hlatshwayo has issued a rallying call to South Africans to get behind the national team as they face Libya in a crucial Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Sunday.

The South African national team head into their final group game, knowing that just a point is needed to secure their qualification for this year’s showpiece event set to take place in Egypt in June.

With the pressure on to put in a performance and get the result that the nation craves, skipper Hlatshwayo has asked the country to bring some positivity to the side.

‘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,’ said Hlatshwayo.

‘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.

‘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,’ added Hlatshwayo.

‘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,’ he concluded.

Bafana are currently in a training camp in Tunis and will travel to Sfax on Thursday 21 March to conclude their preparations for Sunday’s game, which is scheduled for a 7pm kick-off.