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.

【体坛英语资讯：South Africas Bafana must beat Niger, says coach】相关文章：

★ 体坛英语资讯：Austrian goalkeeper Payer to miss UEFA 2008 due to illness

★ 体坛英语资讯：Kuznetsova ends Sharapovas run

★ 体坛英语资讯：Turkey score stunning comeback win, Switzerland beat Portugal

★ 体坛英语资讯：Chinas Zheng to miss World Cup qualifier

★ 体坛英语资讯：Big net cast for Chinese tennis champs

★ 体坛英语资讯：Boston 110, LA Lakers 91

★ 体坛资讯：Richards to meet an example, Liu Xiang to set an example

★ 体坛资讯：China leads medals at Asian Athletics Championships

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Report: Mariah Carey marries Nick Cannon

★ 体坛英语资讯：McLarens Kovalainen still in hospital after crash