South Africa coach Ted Dumitru said the laid back approach that his players adopted against Guinea was the reason behind the defeat.

The Romanian caretaker admitted facing title holders Tunisia will not be easy, but his team can win if they put their mind into it.

“I do not doubt that it is going to be a very difficult game. But if we approach the game as seriously as we did in the 2-1 win against Egypt, we can win the match,” Dumitru told PANA on Wednesday.

If South Africa fail to produce a win over the Carthage Eagles, they could find themselves on the verge of elimination, especially if Guinea beat Zambia.

Tunisia coach Roger Lemerre agreed with Dumitru that the game will be a close one, noting that the Bafana Bafana will not give in to elimination easily.

"The match will very tough and we are expecting a serious reaction from South Africa," the Frenchman told reporters on Wednesday.

"Despite some problems in their defense, they are a good team and some of their players, mainly strikers (Sibusiso) Zuma and (Benni) McCarthy, are very good,” he added.

Tunisia lead Group C on 3 points after a 4-1 drubbing of Zambia on the opening game.

Earlier on Thursday, the Chipolopolo Boys of Zambia will also be bidding for their last chance at a place in the quarter-finals.

The Zambians know it will not be easy disposing of the resilient Guinean side.

"We will try and take our chances against Guinea. They are on a high, which will complicate the game for us but we will be ready," Zambia coach Kalusha Bwalya was quoted as saying by BBC Sport.

Guinea manager Patrice Neveu made clear that his goal was to beat Zambia on Thursday to clinch second round berth.

“We’re on a mission to perform well in the African Cup of Nations in Egypt. The game against Zambia is as important as any other,” Frenchman Neveu said after his squad’s Tuesday training at the Alexandria stadium.