Bafana Bafana have been warned by head coach Pitso Mosimane to stay focused and concentrate for 90 minutes when they host unknown minnows Niger in their opening 2012 African Nations Cup qualifier at Nelspruit's Mbombela Stadium on Saturday night. Kick-off is at 8.30pm.

This was confirmed Thursday by Dutch based striker Bernard Parker, who said Mosimane wanted to eliminate Bafana's tendency of losing concentration at crucial stages in matches.

"The coach also told us we need to keep our heads up if we go a goal down and make sure we fight back. But we do not intend going behind against Niger, so concentration will play a key role.

"The coach has been hammering this point home to us at training this week,” said Parker.

Mosimane does not want a repeat of the shambles that befell the players and his predecessor, Carlos Alberto Parreira, when Bafana lost 3-0 to Uruguay during the World Cup finals in June.

“The Uruguay loss taught us a big lesson. We went on to beat France 2-1 in the World Cup and then we beat Ghana 1-0 in a friendly last month. That shows we have learnt.”

Parker said the 2-1 win over France, who were then rated ninth in the world against Bafana's then 83rd, was a massive boost for the players. They face a different challenge from Niger - ranked 145th in the world -while Bafana have jumped to 66th after the World Cup.

“We showed we could beat a big side like France and also Ghana who were unlucky not to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup.

"But we must not allow ourselves to get carried away. We need to rise above them and make sure we stay on our toes.”

Parker admitted he was under pressure as he was not getting a lot of game time in Holland with champions FC Twente.

“Pressure, however, is part and parcel of the game.

"Soccer is about scoring goals and that is my job. I am sharp, confident and given the chance, I will get goals against Niger.

"I realise they will sit back and try and defend and it will be the strikers and midfielders' job to break their defence down.”

Parker is set to partner Katlego Mphela in attack with two newcomers, Kermit Erasmus and Sthembiso Ngcobo, on the bench.

Midfielder Reneilwe “Ye-Ye” Letsholonyane said playing in the World Cup was a big stepping stone in his career. "It was an invaluable experience for me and the other players and now we need to take that experience forward to help Bafana qualify for the 2012 Afcon.

"But taking Niger for granted would be a terrible mistake and one we will not make.”