Former Bafana Bafana coach Clive Barker sees no reason why South Africa cannot win the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations on home soil.
Barker admits that African football is on the rise, which makes the task all the more difficult for Gordon Igesund's under-performing team.
"Football is now an oyster and almost every top side has an African player in it," Barker told Goal.com South Africa.
"African football has evolved and improved. The great personalities in African football have transformed the game. There are collectively a lot more talented players than in 1996."
Barker was at the helm during Bafana's finest hour as they beat Tunisia 2-0 in Johannesburg to win the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations.
With Igesund in charge, and buoyed by a fervent home support, Barker still feels that despite the stiff competition, the hosts can add a second Nations Cup title.
"I believe we have a top-class coach, who was a proven player and has all the qualities as a coach to be successful.
"He can build a match-winning team even though we do not have access to the depth of talent we had in 1996."
"Obviously playing in our home environment will be an advantage as we will be playing in front of all of our fans. Our players know the grounds and have been successful at the grounds which is a major advantage.
"I do not want to put Gordon Igesund under pressure, as we do not have the same individuals and personalities we once had, but I believe we will win the tournament."
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