The Mamelodi Sundowns player who captained South Africa in the first and second rounds qualifiers against Uganda and South Sudan will be earning his 50th cap on Friday evening.

This makes Zwane the most experienced South African player in the camp, while the returning captain and goalkeeper, Ronwen Williams, will make his 47th appearance for South Africa.

Zwane made his debut for South Africa ten years ago in the 1-1 draw against Australia in Sydney.

Meanwhile, the Bafana Bafana coach, Hugo Broos, is confident that his team is ready for the crunch match which will be played against a rather tricky opponent.

“I’m more comfortable now than I was in the beginning of our camp,” the Belgian mentor said.

Hugo Broos. Photo: Morgan Piek

“I saw a very hungry team this week. We trained very well this week and we prepared ourselves very well and this is something I like about this group. I think everybody was aware of the fact that our games against Uganda and South Sudan were not our best games and that we were lucky to achieve those 4-on-6.

“And then you see the immediate reaction of the group, and it means we made a lot of progress also on that level, the mental level. After the performances of September, we will again motivate each other and be ready to have good results, two good results against Congo on Friday and next week on Tuesday.”

Friday night’s AFCON qualifier and the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium kicks off at 19:00.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek mvh