Molefi Ntseki stresses game management in Bafana Bafana CHAN opener

Bafana, who arrived in Kampala on Monday, will play their opening Group C match, hoping to catch up with the rest of the teams that have already started the tournament. 

Ntseki believes the games in the tournament so far have proven that teams are particularly dangerous in the latter stages as they look to solidify the win.

"Algeria have played their first game, which is somehow good for them because they did well against the hosts Uganda, scoring three goals and getting maximum points," said Ntseki.

"For us, we're coming to play them in our first game and the good thing about them is that they have done their own analysis of their team, but from our side we are still to manage the game and see what tactical approach will work.

"So the critical phases of the game will be important to us as South Africa, to see how we manage the game in the first 15-20 minutes of the first half and the last 15 minutes [of the match].

"We saw in the games that were played – Guinea vs Niger, and when you look at the times when goals were scored, it calls for one to be very careful when it comes to the last 15-20 minutes of the game.

"We also saw Algeria score two goals in three minutes, so that tells you the level of competition."

Meanwhile, Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Neo Maema, who is also the captain of the team, says they are ready to defend the pride of the rainbow nation.

"I think it's a huge opportunity and honour to be one of the teams that are participating in such a unique and big competition, and for us it's mainly to enjoy first because football is for entertainment," said the skipper.

"We need to make sure we give the supporters a great show, but also, like our coach has said, it's a tournament at the end of the day so we have to prepare accordingly and play tournament football.

"We're playing against the defending champions in our first game, so it's going to be a very interesting game after seeing how they played [vs Uganda], and the boys are prepared so when we start, we just want to start on a good note for ourselves and the country."

READ: Neo Maema transfer talks progress