Hugo Broos will want to celebrate his 73rd birthday next month having made a success of the two matches that will clear the path towards qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Bafana play Lesotho on Friday at Peter Mokaba Stadium, before traveling to Cote d'Ivoire for a date with Benin next Tuesday.
Broos has not won two in a row during these qualifiers but now has to do it and keep the biggest threat – Nigeria – at a distance.
READ: Chiefs keeper survives the axe
"It is important games in front of us," noted Broos upon arriving in camp.
"It is a key moment, and I said it already before that if we achieve two victories now against Benin and Lesotho, I think we can make a big step in qualification.
"Certainly, also taking into account the other games, so we will try to do it.
"On the other side, we know that it will be tough and difficult games.
"First of all is Lesotho, who are a team that fights for each other.
"They fight for each meter and every ball, and they are playing against South Africa.
"So, I think they can always do something more against South African than against some other teams, so again, it will be a tough game.
"And then we have the game outside (the country) against Benin.
"The only advantage we have here is that Benin is playing in Ivory Coast, so the big crowd and their supporters will not be really there and that is a little advantage for us.
"But again, we saw what the game was here more than a year ago. I think we played in Johannesburg, and we won 2-1, but it was a very difficult game.
READ: Pirates' next challenge similar to Downs
"So, it will be a difficult game again next week in Ivory Coast.
"We have to be confident, and I think we can do six on six, but maybe for these two games mentality will be more important than quality.
"We need to have the right mindset and the mentality to play those two games, and I think that we can succeed on six on six," says Broos.