Attacker Bongokuhle Hlongwane has reassured South Africans that the team is well aware of the importance of winning their upcoming 2023 Afcon qualifier against Morocco.
"I think it's an important game for us to win. Especially away from home," Hlongwane told SAFA.
Bafana Bafana will take on Morocco in a Group K AFCON qualifier clash to be played at the Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in Rabat, Morocco on Thursday night.
Hugo Broos named Hlongwane as part of a relatively youthful attacking line that includes Khanyisa Mayo, Evidence Makgopa and Lyle Foster among the youngest, while Thembinkosi Lorch and Percy Tau stand out as the most experienced.
Hlongwane was the hero in Bafana Bafana's 2022 World Cup Qualifier clash against Ghana in September last year, asked about the possibility of reproducing the same heroics this time around, the young striker confidently replies: "I hope so."
The 21-year-old, who plies his trade in the Major League Soccer for Minnesota United FC joined the US-based club in January, and although he hasn't quite found his scoring boots, he remains optimistic.
"I don't want to lie. I don't know what's going on. I can't say I've not gotten chances," Hlongwane says of his form.
"But, the [great] thing is I'm creating chances for the team and they are also creating chances for me. I'm making runs, and I'm always at the right place at the right time," he adds.
"I know it [first goal] will come. I just have to believe in myself, I have to keep on pushing."