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Johannesburg - Ex-Bafana Bafana stalwart Bradley Carnell is confident South Africa will impress in Sunday's vital 2012 AFCON qualifier against Niger in Niamey.
Pitso Mosimane's men tackle the West Africans at the General Seyni Kountche Stadium knowing that a win could propel them to next year's showpiece in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.
And Carnell, a veteran of the 2002 AFCON in Mali, is backing Mosimane to get the result.
"Look, judging by the way the team is playing I'm sure we can get it done," he told Football365.co.za.
"Pitso Mosimane is doing a great job. There is a lot more stability in the team, which I think was lacking in the last few years.
"There is a better balance in our play between the European approach and our local flair.
"There is no reason why we can't get a result, so I'm backing them to do it," declared the former SuperSport United defender, who retired from football last week after a distinguished 18-year career.
With 41 international caps, Carnell has ample experience of playing in Africa where conditions can be challenging, and he feels a healthy sense of humour can go a long way on the continent.
"One of the things you have to do is be able to adapt and take things that come your way with a pinch of salt," he said.
"Don't go there expecting a certain standard when it comes to things like training facilities.
"It's best to see the lighter side of things and just appreciate what you do have back at home. If you allow things to bother you then it can affect your performance."
Carnell is one of South Africa's best known exports, achieving prominence in the Bundesliga with German outfits Stuttgart, Hansa Rostok and Karlsruher, in addition to representing Bafana at the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea.
Local fans will recall the 34-year-old's starring spells at Bidvest Wits, Kaizer Chiefs and to a lesser degree Matsatsantsa.
