South Africa's national soccer team Bafana Bafana must win Saturday's 2012 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Niger "at all costs", coach Pitso Mosimane said on Thursday.
The match will be at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, in South Africa's Mpumalanga province.
Bafana failed to qualify for the 2010 AFCON and they were ousted in the group stages of the 2010 FIFA World Cup earlier this year.
Mosimane told Kickoff magazine in South Africa that it is therefore of vital importance that he gets off to a good start after taking over the coaching reins from Carlos Alberto Parreira.
The outcome of the game against Niger could shape his tenure in charge of Bafana and he is fully aware of that: "We have to make sure we get the three points. We can't afford not to qualify for the African Cup of Nations again. It is unacceptable."
Mosimane's first official game in charge went off well.
His side beat World Cup quarter-finalists Ghana 1-0 last month. Yet the coach feels his side can improve on that performance and they will have to as they are not completely aware of what they are up against in the form of Niger.
"We are looking to continue where we left off, but we can't be complacent. We need to prepare properly and professionally in a disciplined environment for the game against Niger, and that is exactly what we are doing," added Mosimane.
Mosimane feels his side can still improve and hopes Niger don't play negatively.
"We have to sharpen our sword. Against Ghana, a lot of the final passes went astray. We need to take our chances in front of goal. I just hope Niger don't play negatively and try defend the whole match."