Bafana received a hero’s welcome at the OR Tambo International Airport on Tuesday following their return from a 2-1 victory over Libya to confirm their spots in Egypt.
Having achieved the previous mandate, many have speculated as to the expectations of Stuart Baxter’s charges at the continental showpiece which kicks off in June but, as far as SAFA are concerned, the team has been tasked with merely making the nation proud.
“The mandate was to qualify for Egypt, and Stuart has done that. Remember for the first time now there is going to be 24 competing nations, so South Africa must go there and not just add numbers,” said Ledwaba.
“We have a very good team, so we expect them to go there and participate and make the country proud.
“We’re not going to say we don’t want to win. I’m sure all South Africans want to see the team in the final and bringing back the trophy – that would be good for the country.
“But we are not going to put any kind of mandate and say, ‘Go to the final.’ We have qualified for Egypt; the team must go there and make South Africa proud.
“We believe with the performance we have seen in Tunisia that they can go there and make us proud.”