Pedro Brito - We don't fear Bafana Bafana, our target is the semis

The two teams clash at Stade Charles-Konan-Banny in Yamoussoukro tonight (8pm, 10pm SA Time) in the fourth and last 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) quarterfinal match.

READ: Highly motivated and hungry Bafana Bafana targeting first AFCON semifinal in 24 years

 The Blue Sharks come to this game on the back of impressive results, unbeaten in the competition after four matches with three wins and a draw. Perhaps, understandable why Brito will sound so positive.

 ''No, we are not scared, we are not scared at all. There is no fear, we have the experience to understand it is a match, we have played South Africa before and defeated them, and they have also won against us in the past. But we have a desire to play and show the joy to give more to our people, that will help us,'' said  Brito.

This is the sixth meeting between the two teams, with two wins apiece for each team. Cape Verde’s back-to-back victories over Bafana ended the nation’s hopes of qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

 But Bubista says those games are all in the past and they are now on a new mission.

 ''We don't think anything about South Africa, the fact that we have beaten them in the past doesn't mean we will turn our faces to history. Bafana is solid, strong and compact.’’

“This will be a very challenging match for us but we promise it will be a very difficult match for them too, we have our own strategy - we will do all we can to make sure that they don't give us problems,'' added  Brito.

 Bubista has been in charge of the Blue Sharks for the past four years now, he was also in Cameroon two years ago but was eliminated in the round of 16 after winning only one game and lost twice and drew once. Can he make history by reaching the last four.

 ''We are focused, working hard to improve our team over the years, we want to entertain with a mindset of winners. Of course, in 2010 it was our first participation in AFCON but we are now used to the competition.’’

 “Our team has gained confidence, our team is robust. We respect all teams including South Africa who have an experienced coach and players, but we are prepared to win,'' he concluded.

 The West African Island has had a tournament to remember so far, topping Group B, which also had Egypt and Ghana, as they opened with a famous win against the Black Stars.

 This will be their second meeting against Bafana at the AFCON finals, having played a draw at the FNB stadium in 2013. Bubista says they have confidence and a better team than Bafana.