I will die for Bafana - Furman

Unlike May Mahlangu, Dean Furman is not "fatigued" to put his body on the line for Bafana.

"When your country comes calling, you need to be here," Furman said yesterday ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sudan on Saturday at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. Kick off is 3pm.

"You can't speak about different people's circumstances. I can only look at myself, but I know that when my country comes calling, I am really proud of being here.

"We know we want to be at the top tournament. It has been a while since we qualified for a tournament and I hope we can get the job done. It would be a massive boost for us should we qualify because it has not happened in a long time and there was also the pain of missing out on World Cup qualification."

Bafana have not qualified for a tournament directly since the 2008 African Cup of Nations in Ghana, and none of the current squad members carry any baggage of that failed campaign.

Furman is aware of the highly emotional nature of Saturday's game - switched to Durban in honour of slain captain Senzo Meyiwa - but said the team has enough experience to bottle up their emotions and focus on the necessary three points that will guarantee qualification.

There has been a marked improvement in how Bafana have played under Ephraim "Shakes" Mashaba.

However, there has been one key ingredient missing in the already delicious stew that has been served in the six games that Mashaba has been in charge of - goals in home matches.

"We know we haven't scored goals in the last two home games, but we have shown on the road that we are very much capable of banging them in ... we are creating chances and we know it will only be a matter of time before the goals come," Furman said.

"The team went to visit Senzo's grave and the family. It is a really special gesture to be playing in his home town," he said.