Bafana Bafana have pampered with praise ahead of their semi-final meeting with Nigeria while being encouraged to take their dream run in Cote d'Ivoire all the way to lifting the AFCON trophy.
Bafana have somehow found a way to the last four and could be champions on Sunday if they get past the Super Eagles on Wednesday.
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It will be unbelievable if Bafana arrive back at OR Tambo early next week as the kings of Africa considering that they were never given a chance.
"AFCON has a tendency of coming up with these surprises just like what happened with us as Zambians, so this is the chance for Bafana to enjoy the ride," says 2012 AFCON winner Noah Chivuta who had a lengthy playing career in South Africa.
Chipolopolo arrived at the 2012 tournament ranked 16th on the continent but were able to finish top of a group featuring Senegal, Libya, and co-hosts Equatorial Guinea before getting past Sudan and Ghana to reach the final.
Featuring eight players from South African clubs and another six who had previously played or went on to have contracts in the PSL, the Zambians prevailed against a star-studded Cote d'Ivoire in the final.
"The AFCON is a tournament that is all about gaining momentum at the right time and I feel that is what Bafana have now.
"Bafana's momentum – which reflects Mamelodi Sundowns – is in full swing now just like DR Congo who didn't win a match in open play in their first four games but are now in the semi-finals.
"The winners of this AFCON will be a surprise and Bafana are there for it.
"Bafana have already overachieved and just like us when we reached the semi-finals they should be already talking about the final.
"We had nothing to lose against Ghana in the semi-finals because even if we went out at that stage, we would still be heroes.
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"Bafana are not even stressing like Nigeria about this semi-final because they are already heroes and have nothing to lose now unlike Nigeria who are expected to be champions.
"The plus for Bafana is that they have a coach (Hugo Broos) who will make you feel like you can die for him just like what Herve Renard did with us in 2012," explains Chivuta.
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