Bafana Bafana captain Thulani Hlatshwayo says it was important for the national team players to prove that they can deliver.
Bafana registered an incredible 1-0 victory over Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations last 16 at Cairo International Stadium on Saturday, knocking out the hosts in front of a crowd of over 70 000.
Being in the knockout stage means anything can happen and Bafana cannot be ruled out of going as far as the final, especially after their performance against the Egyptians.
Next on their schedule is a match against old foes Nigeria in the quarterfinals on Wednesday night (21h00), at the same venue where they ended Egypt's dream of winning the competition on home soil.
"It has been quite a journey playing for Bafana Bafana. A team historically known for winning the coveted continental championship in 1996, and whose legacy we continue to try as best we can to replicate," Hlatshwayo is quoted as saying on the SAFA website.
"This year's continental tournament has been tough and making it into the last 16 was a goal many did not expect us to reach. We knew coming into the game with Egypt that we had to bring heroics. We had to prove to everyone but more importantly to our nation and ourselves, that we can deliver. Our preparation for that game was intense, we knew we had to give it everything we had and that paid off."