South Africa goalkeeping coach Alex Heredia says the team will be well prepared if their 2013 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final against Mali were to go to a penalty shootout.
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Heredia, who is the only remaining member of the coaching staff when Bafana Bafana went down to the Eagles at the same stage of the competition in 2002, says he has the utmost faith in first-choice keeper Itumeleng Khune.
"Of course, we do not expect to go to the penalty situation. We want to win the game in 90 minutes but if penalties do come then Khune has very strong experience and he has great reactions. He will be good for us," Heredia told Football411.
"Itumeleng is outstanding. He is our first choice at the moment. He works very hard in training and you can see how well he is doing during the match."
Heredia says that in the event of Khune picking up an injury or being sent off, reserve goalkeepers Wayne Sandilands and Senzo Meyiwa are ready to stand in.
The Argentine explained: "The other keepers give Itumeleng very strong competition. It's a healthy situation for me because Wayne Sandilands and Senzo Meyiwa are doing well.
"They keep Itu on his toes to perform. If the situation arises, they are ready."
Heredia also took time to hail the fighting spirit of the team, adding: "There is a fantastic attitude in the team. When things are not going well they have lots of character, look at how they did against Morocco."
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