Kaizer Chiefs defender Siboniso Gaxa believes that experienced players like him can make the difference in big international tournaments.
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With 48 caps, Gaxa is Bafana Bafana's second most capped player after Siphiwe Tshabalala, who has been capped 70 times.
Gaxa may not be a first choice in the starting line-up at present, but behind the scenes and on the bench he will be able to impart his knowledge and help keep his team-mates' spirits lifted when the going gets tough.
"I believe that it is very important to have as many experienced players as possible in the squad," he told Goal.com.
"Because we have seen countries bringing in their experienced players throughout the history of the tournament.
"For example, the likes of Samuel Eto'o, Joseph Yobo and Rigobert Song have always been selected to bring about experience in their respective countries."
Before joining AmaKhosi, Gaxa played in Belgium. He is of the opinion that the European-based players bring something extra to the squad.
"It's very positive and they always bring something special in the team because they don't isolate themselves from us.
"There is unity amongst us and that gives me confidence and hope that we'll make the country proud starting from Saturday."
The 28-year-old has played in one previous AFCON tournament, in 2006 in Egypt, when South Africa crashed out at the first round.
But this time around Gaxa insists Bafana will make the nation proud.
"Honestly, 2006 was a disaster but if you remember very well, we had a new coach just before the start of the tournament.
"So we didn't have enough time to prepare and to understand each other very well. As for now, I think we are playing more as a unit and Gordon Igesund has had more time with the squad than our former coach (Ted Dumitru)," he pointed out.
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