Two losses in their opening three games mean the South Africans have little hope of winning their group - a more realistic ambition is now to aim for the runner's up spot and hope to finish as one of the eight best second-placed sides from the 12 qualifying groups.

With Nigeria at home, and an away trip to Equatorial Guinea ahead, a win against Sierra Leone is of paramount importance if the team hopes to qualify for the MTN Cup of Nations in Angola in two years time.

Last week's 1-0 loss in Freetown to the same team saw Joel Santana's men dominate most of the game, but the lack of composure, ambition and killer instinct up front cost dearly as some inexperienced defending enabled Sierra Leone to win the game via the penalty spot.

While Surprise Moriri was the main culprit as far as missed chances are concerned, Terror Fanteni was anonymous for most of the game as he failed to make his presence felt.

Fanteni is doubtful ahead of Saturday's game with a groin strain, which could allow Santana to bring in either Excellent Walaza, or Kathlego Mashego, a player currently high on confidence.

Confidence is certainly an asset in short supply in the Bafana Bafana camp and Santana's managerial tact will stretched to the limit in order to put the swagger back in a team struggling to fire on all cylinders.

Although both playing out of position, Steven Pienaar and Teko Modise must come to the party at the Super Stadium in order to ignite the team.

Arguably two of the country’s most talented and naturally-gifted players, it is imperative that the pair are at their best on Saturday in order to generate the spark that the team needs, create chances or get on the score-sheet themselves.

Skipper Aaron Mokoena is still doubtful, but it must be kept in mind that defence was hardly the problem last week - apart from the gifted goal, keeper Ithuneleng Khune barely had a make a save.

Counting at least in Bafana's favour is the fact that the opposition they are facing in Pretoria are by no means a strong side - bar Mohamed Kallon, Samuel Barlay and Mustapha Bangura, Sierra Leone had very few players which stood out last week.

But last week’s set back would have served as a grim reminder that no team or result can be taken for granted – its no good looking pretty and dominating a game if there is no end product.