Bafana Bafana boss Hugo Broos: The game on Friday is a must win

Broos' side currently top their group with 13 points from six games, five ahead of second placed Rwanda, and Benin in third.

Bafana take on Lesotho at the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein before facing fourth-placed Nigeria on Tuesday.

The South Africa boss has already seen two players drop out through injury, but speaking ahead of the weekend encounter, he explained the important of not dropping points.

Broos said on IOL: "The game on Friday is a must win. We can't afford to lose points against Lesotho.

"That does not mean I underestimate the opponent; that would be the biggest mistake we can make. We have to keep the pressure on our opponents.

"If we win on Friday, the job is done. It is up to our opponents to stop us. We put pressure on them. We have to make sure we win."

Broos was forced to replace injured midfielder Patrick Maswanganyi with Orlando Pirates teammate Sipho Mbule, while Stellenbosch defender Thabo Moloisane was called up for Ime Okon.

“We had to tell Maswanganyi to go home after the injury (against Chippa United). We took that decision because we are not sure. We have no guarantee he will be ready for the matches. We can't take that risk,” said the coach.

Nigeria play against Rwanda on Saturday, with Broos adding: "If we win on Friday then they [Rwanda] have to win on Saturday, and Rwanda cannot afford to lose if they are to keep their second position. It would be an ideal scenario. But we have to win.

"I am confident. I know the quality of the players. We are still strong enough to beat Lesotho.

"But we have to be focused, be concentrated, to reach our best level. Let's start fighting for every square metre on the pitch and try to win that game. Again, it should be a good situation for us."