Da Gama today announced his 21-man squad to travel to the 8-nations tournament which runs from 28 November to 12 December.
The Bafana Bafana assistant coach has faith in his squad and believes their desire to make their mark on South African football could propell them to Olympic qualification.
"We have already played a number of matches [with this squad]," said Da Gama.
"I know what to expect from these players. The good thing is that these boys also want to make their mark and play in the Olympics, so I am confident they will do well,” said Da Gama.
South Africa are in Group A alongside the hosts, Zambia and Tunisia, and will face Senegal in the tournament opener on Saturday, 28 November at the Leopold Stadium in Dakar.
“This is the match that will define our destiny. We do well here and we are on our way to the last four.
"Pressure will be on the hosts not to disappoint and we will have to take advantage of that.
"Our aim is to start well, because negative results will leave us under pressure in the remaining matches,” added the former Orlando Pirates coach.
Group B consists of Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria and Mali, with the top three finishers in the tournament qualifying for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.