Thulani Hlatshwayo does not think Bafana Bafana have gone backwards since their impressive campaign in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Bafana went six matches unbeaten to qualify for the competition in Equatorial Guinea last year, as coach Shakes Mashaba inspired hope after the team had become notorious for only qualifying for major tournaments as hosts.

Bafana head into their 2017 Afcon qualifier against Group M leaders Cameroon in Limbe on Saturday (4.30pm SA time) still searching for their first victory in the group after a goalless draw against Gambia and a 3-1 defeat to Mauritania last year.

"No [Bafana have not gone backwards]. I think we have improved as a team. We had a good run qualifying for Afcon [2015] and now we have to have a similar run," Hlatshwayo said this week. "Our performances and defending has been good, so we just need to work on getting the goals so that we can get back to winning ways. The confidence is high and we have the core of the team that qualified for the last Afcon."

The Bidvest Wits defender had a big smile on his face when he was asked about the prospect of getting physical with the Cameroonian players on Saturday.

"I love to fight," he laughed. "We know what kind of team they are because we played against them last year.

"It's going to be a tough game. We have to go there with a positive attitude and come back with the three points. We have to make sure we win both games. I don't think we will have stage fright."

Bafana will go into the game knowing a little about some of the players they will face on Saturday, thanks to the team's overseas-based players.

Andile Jali is teammates with midfielder Sebastien Siani at KV Oostende and Thulani Serero will meet his Ajax Amsterdam teammate Andre Onana, who is a goalkeeper.

"Anele [Ngcongca] also knows their coach [Hugo Broos] from the time he played in Belgium. But we will focus on ourselves," said Hlatshwayo.