BAFANA Bafana let Algeria off the hook on Monday and there will be no room for error when they take on Senegal in their penultimate clash tonight.

Kickoff is at 9pm.

Shakes Mashaba's boys will have to win some crucial battles to overcome Senegal, who beat Ghana 2-1 on Monday. Here are three key battles that could decide the match:

Mulomowandau Mathoho v Mame Diouf

Bafana's most trusted defender is available to play after serving a one-match suspension. Mathoho, who played every qualifier, has enough pace to keep up with quick strikers despite his height, is solid in the tackle and has immense strength.

Against Diouf, "Tower" will have to be at his best and make sure that the speedy striker does not have room to turn and take shots in the box. The Stoke City forward is brimming with confidence at the moment. That makes him dangerous.

Sibusiso Vilakazi v Cheikho Kouyate

There was a time on Monday when Vilakazi was just gliding effortlessly past Algerian players. He would twist and turn, beat a man and then sweetly lay on a pass for a teammate.

Vilakazi can bamboozle defenders with his trickery and pace, and his position as a free roaming midfielder allows him to make runs into the box and score crucial goals.

Senegal's defensive midfielder Kouyate will be the man tasked to take care of him. Kouyate covers a lot of ground because he has loads of energy. His batteries have to be fully charged to keep up with Vilakazi.

Thuso Phala v Pape Souare

Speed versus power. This could be the battle of the night. Phala will go into this game on a high after scoring the opener against Algeria and will be looking to terrorise the Senegal defence and create opportunities for teammates.

But it's not going to be a walk in the park considering he comes up against a man the Lions of Teranga rely on heavily to stop some of the continent's finest wingers. Souare is quick and dangerous in both halves of the pitch, so Phala will also have to track back a lot and help to stop the Lille player.