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Johannesburg - Sport minister Fikile Mbalula has wished Bafana Bafana well as they aim to win their first Africa Cup of Nations away from home when they tackle the continent's number-one ranked country Algeria in Equatorial Guinea on Monday.
Bafana have been the team to beat under coach Shakes Mashaba with a stellar record of 10 matches without a loss.
"Their preparations have been something to be proud of and as they embark on a journey of rekindling the 1996 Afcon victory memories, it is important to wish them all the best," Mbalula said.
"The president of the country Jacob Zuma has also wishes them all the best and we believe that they can do us proud.
"Their record speaks volumes and everywhere one goes, Bafana's name is on the lips of everyone and we are hoping for the best from them."
Their Afcon tournament preparations saw them register big victories over Zambia, Mali and a draw against Cameroon.
"Safa is doing a brilliant job and one needs to commend them," he said.
"We have three national teams, Under-17, Under-20 and Bafana representing South Africa in the different competitions and this is good news.
"We as South Africans don't celebrate mediocrity and I am glad we are looking like a country ready and raring to fight for its place on the continent."
Mbalula was optimistic Bafana would prevail in a group labelled the "Group of Death" which included Algeria, Ghana and Senegal.
"We are not scared of anybody. The boys have settled in nicely and if one saw the Mali game, we were simply the best.
"The way they managed to soak up the pressure before unleashing their best saw that any player is destined to score for the national team."
