Cape Town - Tefu Mashamaite believes the level of experience in continental competitions within the Bafana Bafana squad will stand them in good stead in their bid to qualify for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Kaizer Chiefs defender was recalled to the national team for the upcoming back-to-back fixtures against current group leaders, Congo.
He backed the side's knowledge of CAF competitions to help them in their battle to claim their tickets to Morocco next year.
"To be honest, I never thought I would play for Bafana again, but things happen in life," Mashamaite told reporters on Wednesday ahead of their trip to Brazzaville.
"The coach said with my club performance, he couldn't really ignore me. I'm here to learn and add something to what they are building here.
"The average age of the group is about 26. I'm 30 and 'Yeye' (Reneilwe Letsholonyane) is 32. So we will be looking to add experience."
He added: "Having said that, guys like Andile Jali have been around. Senzo Meyiwa has been to the Champions League final. We are a young but experienced team.
"The spirit of positivity always rubs off in a good way, especially as the coach was a change in mindset. We don't want to be known as Bafana Bafana, the whipping boys of the African continent. We need to change that, and this is a good place to start."
Bafana are currently second in Group A, two points behind opponents Congo.
Bafana Bafana fixtures:
Saturday, October 11 - Congo v SA (Pointe Noire) at 16:30.
Wednesday, October 15 - SA v Congo (Peter Mokaba Stadium) at 20:05.
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