Cape Town - The nation's breath will be held collectively tonight as AFCON defeat against Senegal could see Bafana Bafana eliminated from the competition.
Read: Keet dropped for Senegal clash
The fortunes of Shakes Mashaba's side will be on the line on Friday night as two crucial Group C group stage games are played in Mongomo.
Following a defeat at the hands of Algeria, Bafana Bafana are bottom of Group C and to make matters worse, a loss against Senegal on Friday night could spell the end of the national team's participation in the competition.
Worst-case scenario:
Should Bafana Bafana come unstuck against Senegal and Algeria, who face Ghana at 18:00 tonight, add another three points to their pool tally, then the two Group C qualifiers would be known with a game to spare.
Simply put, Bafana Bafana need to beat Senegal to have a realistic chance of qualifying for the knockout phase.
If Mashaba's side are held to a draw against Senegal, then a large win over Ghana in the third group match will be required together with Algeria beating Senegal, a large margin would help the South African cause in the final group game of the pool stage. If this permutation does indeed occur, goal difference may be called upon to settle the final positions.
South Africa are worst-placed when it comes to goal difference after one game with an aggregate of -2, Ghana are also in the "red" on -1 while Senegal are well placed on +1 with Algeria are sitting comfortably on +2.
Best-case scenario:
Algeria beat Ghana, leaving the Black Stars with an almost impossible chance of qualifying and South Africa beat Senegal by a two goal margin.
Bafana Bafana face Senegal at 21:00 on Friday and be sure to follow Sport24's LIVE and interactive match commentary for the vital AFCON 2015 Group C fixture.
Read: Keet dropped for Senegal clash
The fortunes of Shakes Mashaba's side will be on the line on Friday night as two crucial Group C group stage games are played in Mongomo.
Following a defeat at the hands of Algeria, Bafana Bafana are bottom of Group C and to make matters worse, a loss against Senegal on Friday night could spell the end of the national team's participation in the competition.
Worst-case scenario:
Should Bafana Bafana come unstuck against Senegal and Algeria, who face Ghana at 18:00 tonight, add another three points to their pool tally, then the two Group C qualifiers would be known with a game to spare.
Simply put, Bafana Bafana need to beat Senegal to have a realistic chance of qualifying for the knockout phase.
If Mashaba's side are held to a draw against Senegal, then a large win over Ghana in the third group match will be required together with Algeria beating Senegal, a large margin would help the South African cause in the final group game of the pool stage. If this permutation does indeed occur, goal difference may be called upon to settle the final positions.
South Africa are worst-placed when it comes to goal difference after one game with an aggregate of -2, Ghana are also in the "red" on -1 while Senegal are well placed on +1 with Algeria are sitting comfortably on +2.
Best-case scenario:
Algeria beat Ghana, leaving the Black Stars with an almost impossible chance of qualifying and South Africa beat Senegal by a two goal margin.
Bafana Bafana face Senegal at 21:00 on Friday and be sure to follow Sport24's LIVE and interactive match commentary for the vital AFCON 2015 Group C fixture.