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Johannesburg - South African Under-23 coach Shakes Mashaba is expecting a backlash from their Zimbabwean counterparts in the return leg of their All Africa Games qualifier in Harare on Sunday afternoon.
With a 2-0 first leg victory in Daveyton two weeks ago, Baby Bafana are on the brink of qualifying for the African tournament in Mozambique in September.
However, in front of their patriotic fans at the National Stadium, Zimbabwe are expected to attack South Africa from the first whistle.
Taking heart of the previous round, when the South Africans reversed a 3-1 deficit to thrash Benin 5-1 at home, Mashaba said this week he felt that Zimbabwe had the capabilities to fight back.
"We are sitting with a 2-0 goal lead and it's not enough," Mashaba said.
"If you remember, the Zimbabwean coach was spitting fire after the first leg loss and said he was going to reverse the result.
"But I think that our preparations have been right for this game."
Mashaba said he would not curb his side's natural attacking game for a conservative system in an attempt to protect the advantage.
The South Africans have scored eight goals in their last three encounters, courtesy of the wing flair from Themba Zwane, Mandla Masango and Sameegh Doutie who have combined well with striker Bongani Ndulula.
The Orlando Pirates goal machine, Ndulula, has proved troublesome to the opposing defence with positional play, his strength in the air and with the ball at his feet.
Further good news for Mashaba is the availability of Bloemfontein Celtic's Eric Mathoho and Thulani Hlatshwayo who are fit again after missing the first leg.
It is in defence where there is a slight concern, with Baby Bafana prone to conceding late goals in the last year since Mashaba took over.
"We don't want to change too much and will still go there and play the same way with two strikers upfront," Mashaba said.
"What we need to do is get there and also look at scoring a goal.
"We will definitely not be sitting back to try and protect our lead."
