"We are ready because we are training at an artificial turf here in Rustenburg and the heat in the North West Province is almost similar to the one is Congo," Kaizer Chiefs midfield dynamo Mandla Masango was speaking from Bafana Bafana camp ahead of their trip to Congo.

The sides have played against each other 4 times at the tiny 15 thousand seat Stade Municipal stadium in Port-Noire, with Bafana winning there on two occasions.

Masango has played with most of the new players in the squad, he says, "I have played with most of the players at junior or senior levels. I know most of the guys here, it makes it easy."

Masango adds, "We are ready for the trip and everyone is positive ahead of the all-important clash."

Coach Shakes Mashaba will draw confidence from the fact that each time South Africa have been drawn in the same Nations Cup qualifier group with Congo, Bafana have gone on to advance to the tournament proper.

It all looks good for Bafana Bafana's prospects to qualify for 2015 Afcon.

The match is scheduled for Saturday, October 11, against Congo in Pointe Noire at 16:30.

24/10/1992: World Cup qualifier, Johannesburg: SA 1-0 Congo


31/01/1993: World Cup qualifier, Pointe Noire: Congo 0-1 SA


06/04/1997: World Cup qualifier, Pointe Noire: Congo 2-0 SA


16/08/1997: World Cup qualifier, Johannesburg: SA 1-0 Congo


03/09/2000: AFCON qualifier, Port Noire: Congo 1-2 SA


17/06/2001: AFCON qualifier, Johannesburg: SA 0-0 Congo


02/09/2006: AFCON qualifier, Johannesburg: SA 0-0 Congo


17/06/2007: AFCON qualifier, Pointe Noire: Congo 1-1 SA