Former Premier Soccer League coach Zeca Marques believes the drive that has been shown by South Africa in the Africa Cup Of Nations is what is going to take the team to the final.
Bafana Bafana faces old rivals Nigeria in the AFCON semi-finals taking place in Ivory Coast on Wednesday.
"Bafana Bafana, what they've showed up to now, it's a lot of character, they've shown that they are a team on a mission," the former Moroka Swallows coach tells KickOff.
"They are a team that understands what victory means for the nation, I think there's positive energy that they will be using tonight against Nigeria. They must know, the motivational factor here is going to be huge and it will drive them.
"Our history is built on sport, we saw what the rugby did for our nation, Bafana Bafana for many years now has been searching for success, and success means going to the final, and for once the nation is behind them. They understand how big this is for us as South Africa this is huge, and it's going to be up against our rivals Nigeria.
"Nothing is as motivating as going out there and playing against your arch-rivals, to make a point that South Africa is back with a bang they will need to go to the final. People are talking about luck, but luck is part and parcel of the game, without luck, you don't get anywhere," he added.
"Many teams have gone to the final with luck before, you need luck on your side. So today I'm going to put my money on South Africa. We are going to win this one 1-0. The desire to be in the final will see them through. Pound for pound Nigeria is a team with pedigree, but I think as South Africa we have now realised that we can compete with the continent's best.
"Self-belief is going to be crucial for tonight's game. They will just need to focus and take responsibility for their actions."
Kick-off at Stade Bouake is at 19:00.
