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Cape Town - Shaun Bartlett has called the next week for the South African national football side "massive" as they look to take a step closer to the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Bafana Bafana take on Angola over two legs - the first in Benguela on Friday and the second in Durban on Tuesday - with the winner advancing to the final group stages where the five African sides booking their tickets to Russia will be determined.
Whichever side loses the tie will have their World Cup hopes dashed three years before the tournament.
Given the woes of recent years for this Bafana side, progression through to the qualifying group is an absolute bare minimum, and Bartlett emphasised the importance of the next two matches.
"It’s massive… if we don’t get over the next two games we’re not going to see a 2018 World Cup," he said.
"The squad that was selected, I think they’re capable. It’s just a matter of now going in with the right attitude as far as home and away is concerned and let’s be sensible also as far as getting results.
"Don’t underestimate Angola because they are a decent team and I think we need to just make sure we qualify."
Kick-off on Friday is at 16:30 (SA time).
