But Group D leaders Morocco will be a tougher proposition

● Bafana Bafana got the goal and the 1-0 win playing in patches against Namibia and now might need a draw tomorrow against a Morocco who were hugely impressive seeing off Ivory Coast.

Morocco coach Hervé Renard — the spectre who looms over Group D, and even the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations — suggested he might make changes to refresh, given the short space between his team's 1-0 win against the Elephants on Friday night and meeting Bafana at Cairo's Al Salam Stadium tomorrow [kickoff 6pm].

When a Southern African derby follows a display of explosiveness and class such as Morocco putting away Ivory Coast, it has to look a little underwhelming.

But Bafana — disjointed in the first half at Al Salam Stadium, with a better shape in the second, but still living dangerously as Buhle Mkwhanazi cleared off the line from Deon Hotto three minutes before Bongani Zungu headed in Percy Tau's corner in the 68th — have the points on the board.

With the top two teams plus four best third-placed finishers progressing, three points may be enough. But if Bafana lose against Morocco, it's calculator time again.

Bafana, structured in Monday’s 1-0 defeat against Ivory Coast in searing heat, but not functioning in attack, had to turn on the skill and quick passing against Namibia.

Watching the first half, it was hard to see the positive effects of a three-week-preparation camp. The SA Football Association say Bafana coach Stuart Baxter turned down a friendly against Egypt because he was concerned about an adverse result. From their first two games, it has been clear Bafana needed more friendlies than the 0-0 training match draw against Ghana in Dubai.

“We shouldn’t underestimate the effect that the environment and pressure of the game tonight has on the players,” Baxter said after Friday night’s 10pm game played in 29C heat.

“Some of our players in the first half played the ball directly to a Namibian. That’s not because of our psychology — it's the gravity of the occasion.”

Baxter made four changes. Again he surprised, switching goalkeepers. When Ronwen Williams started against the Elephants, it raised eyebrows, but proved a correct decision. Darren Keet against Namibia less so. He fumbled the cross that almost led to Hotto scoring.

“Dean Furman was injured. We were trying to balance our midfield by selecting Hlompho Kekana and Bongani Zungu,” Baxter said.

“We didn’t feel Kamo [Kamohelo Mokotjo], especially having a tough game in his legs, would be a good foil for either.

“We decided before the Ivory Coast game that Darren would play this game, as we thought it would suit him. And Vila [Sibusiso Vilakazi] did well coming on against Ivory Coast. I can’t promise I’m not going to change the team for the last game. It’s going to be a tactical duel, and also one where we have to really work hard, and maybe we need fresh legs.”

Friday night’s two games were worlds apart. The earlier heavyweight clash of West and North African might was played at a breathtaking rhythm and tempo.

Morocco against SA will be a different game. The Atlas Lions have qualified, though want first place. There is not the grudge aspect between Renard and his former team [Ivory Coast]. “We need to stay focused on first place,” Renard said.

“We knew the first game [a last-gasp 1-0 win against Namibia in the afternoon heat] would be difficult because we were not ready yet. Now we are improving against a very strong side.

“It was a very tactical game. You cannot make a mistake because against a team with such good players you are immediately in trouble. For the next game, I don’t know yet, because I don’t know if the players will be ready. But we have to concentrate.

“SA played a good game against Ivory Coast. But, like I said, you can’t make one mistake.”

SA played a good game against Ivory Coast. But you can’t make one mistake Hervé Renard

Morocco coach