Siphiwe Tshabalala has urged the newcomers to the Bafana Bafana squad selected for the 2015 AFCON qualifiers to seize their opportunities and savour the experience.

Bafana will begin a new era under Shakes Mashaba when they face Sudan on Friday hoping to take the first step towards qualifying for a tournament they won on home turf in 1996.

Tshabalala, who was part of the Bafana squads for the 2006 and 2008 tournaments, knows all about representing one’s country.

He said: “Playing in the AFCON is an honourable feeling. As a player you feel determined to be part of a team that participates in such an event.

“I am lucky to have participated in two of these tournaments and I hope that the guys that have been selected will represent us.

“It will not be an easy challenge for them especially because most of them are new to the set-up. But that should not count for anything. The boys need to be strong and stay determined to bring good results home.

“The nation is always behind the players and everyone will be hoping that they do well. Good luck to all the players, especially my Kaizer Chiefs teammates Eric Mathoho and Mandla Masango. Make us proud guys.”