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Johannesburg - Despite having already qualified for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, South Africa still has a hunger to do well in their final group match, says midfielder Dean Furman.
"It's a huge game against Nigeria on Wednesday.
"Having qualified doesn't change anything for us," he said on the team's arrival in Uyo.
"It has major significance every time we play Nigeria. It's going to be a tough game and they will fight for their lives in an effort to qualify.
"But we want to fight for our nation, for fans, and for ourselves, beyond that we want to maintain our unbeaten record in this group and it's important that we finish in a positive way."
The 26-year-old, who plays for English club Doncaster Rovers, wore the captain's armband in the weekend's Afcon fixture where Bafana Bafana beat Sudan 2-1 to seal their place at the finals in Equatorial Guinea in January.
"No one needs any motivation for this match. We know we are playing African champions, so what more motivation does one need.
"We want to send a good and strong message to the rest of the continent that we are a strong side going into the tournament."
South Africa is top of Group A with 11 points.
Nigeria and Congo are second and third, tied at seven points, while Sudan are out of contention with three points and one to play. "It's been an up and down last few months but we have remained focused as a team," Furman said.
"We know we have a job to do and it's great that we have come through without defeat. We are in a really positive mood at the moment."
