Maema braces for tough tie against Niger as Bafana push for a quarterfinal spot in Chan
The team's skipper Neo Maema told TimesLIVE from Kampala, Uganda, on Wednesday that Bafana need to win their third group match against Niger at Mandela National Stadium at 7pm on Friday to be in a good position to secure their place in the last eight.
Other teams that look good to go with Bafana to the last eight are hosts Uganda, who are on top of the group with six points after two games. Algeria cannot be ruled out as they are level on four points with Molefi Ntseki's team after two games.
Only the two top teams progress to the knockout rounds in the four groups in the tournament.
Bafana have done well since they arrived in Uganda after opening their campaign with a credible 1-1 draw against Algeria before winning 2-1 in their second match against Guinea.
'There are no guarantees for now that we'll be in the next round,' warned Maema, who may be loaned by Mamelodi Sundowns to Tanzania's Simba SC after this tournament.
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