Cape Town – Bafana Bafana legend Doctor Khumalo believes the country has the quality and maturity to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon in 2019.
Khumalo, who made 50 appearances for South Africa and scored nine goals from 1992 until 2001, takes the view that with players of the calibre of Percy Tau, the national team can progress.
Stuart Baxter's charges need at least a point away against Libya next year in order to advance to the tournament.
Nigeria have already qualified whereas minnows Seychelles are rock-bottom.
Speaking to Soccer Laduma website, the 1996 AFCON winner said: "I'm so pleased to have seen so much composure from Percy and he's really matured. I'm singing praises because only a smart individual can create space for themselves like he did. You can't take that away from the boy and that's why even Gernot Rohr sang praises of Percy.
"On the flip side of my argument, the very same individual can't do anything without his teammates. On the field, there are those who are doing the spade work for him to shine, while he makes everyone shine by winning games.
"Yes, we'd have loved to win (against Nigeria), but the boys played really well and complemented one another so well, which was good to see. We may not have won, but with the kind of display we showed on Saturday, we should be able to qualify for Cameroon 2019.
"However, Libya's 8-1 win against Seychelles was a clear message that they're not going to be an easy side to play. We just need a point, at least, to go through and I'm sure we will play for a win because we have a mature team."
