Rivaldo Coetzee, the youngest Bafana Bafana squad member, says he will not be unsettled by the big names at this month's Africa Cup of Nations.

South Africa face Algeria, Senegal and Ghana in Group C, undoubtedly the toughest at the tournament that kicks off in Equatorial Guinea on January 17.

Coetzee made his Bafana debut against Congo in October, four days before his 18th birthday, when coach Shakes Mashaba was expected to pick a more experienced and established defender to partner Molomowandau Mathoho in central defence.

But the Ajax Cape Town teenager has not looked back since.

"I think we have prepared well. We played Congo and Nigeria away and I believe we got the results we were looking for. We beat Congo and drew with Nigeria, a good result because to draw against Nigeria away is never easy. That was just a taste of what to expect at the Afcon," said Coetzee.

Despite being a clear favourite to partner Mathoho as well as being admired by former Bafana skipper Aaron Mokoena - a man whose record he broke as the youngest South African football international - Coetzee was still surprised to make Mashaba's final 23-man squad.

"As a youngster competing with 33 other players, I did not expect to be going to the Afcon. But it shows that the coach sees something in me and that I can contribute to the team. I am humbled, which is not easy when you have to keep your feet on the ground. You have to think of where you come from and how you got where you are today. You have to remind yourself of those things," said Coetzee.

He has a chance to not only cement his place in the Bafana team, but to also impress Ajax Amsterdam - the parent club of his Premier League team.

"Of course I am going there aware that they might send scouts to look at me, along with other players as well. If I do well for myself and the team, I don't see any problem in me going to Ajax Amsterdam and staying," he said.