Pretoria — Bafana Bafana players are in high spirits ahead of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) tournament which starts on Saturday with an opening match between the home team and Cape Verde at the National Stadium (FNB) in Johannesburg.
Midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi said: "We are not feeling any strain, even though pressure is always there whether you are winning or losing; ours is just to focus on the 90 minutes, win our first game and take it from there. I believe with the backing of the nation we will succeed."
Goalkeeper, Itumeleng Khune said: "Yes, we have to be excited. This is a very crucial week for us and we have to ensure that our preparations run smoothly so that we are ready for the opening match.
"The experience of playing in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2010 FIFA World Cup, both on home soil should come in handy for Bafana Bafana in this tournament. We have all been working hard and mark my words, we will do well."
Bafana returned to training on Monday morning after enjoying a much-needed day off on Sunday following their international goalless draw friendly match against Algeria on Saturday evening at the Orlando Stadium.
The players were back at the same venue where they are putting final touches before the start of the Orange Africa Cup of Nations South Africa 2013 that kicks off on Saturday, 19 January at the National Stadium, just outside Soweto.
President Jacob Zuma is scheduled to visit the team at their training base camp in Soweto today.
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