Bafana Bafana head coach Pitso Mosimane said he was prepared to take risks and attack Niger in a bid to get the country's 2012 African Nations Cup qualifying campaign off to a winning start at the Mbombela Stadium on Saturday night.

Kick-off is at 8.30pm.

If Niger, however, come to defend as expected and play for a point, then Mosimane has worked out a Plan B to counter the West Africans.

It will be Mosimane's first real test since taking the reins over from Brazilian Carlos Alberto Parreira, and he is relishing the challenge and the pressure that goes with the job.

Mosimane got his career off to a winning start when he guided Bafana to a 1-0 win over World Cup quarterfinalists Ghana in a friendly at the FNB Stadium last month, and now he is prepared to go for broke looking for an early goal.

“The rule in international soccer is simple – three points at home and one away. I am going to attack and try and get that vital early goal," said Mosimane.

"I believe Niger will come here and park their bus in defence. I have worked hard this week with the players on a plan to find a way past their bus.”

But Mosimane said while Bafana will be positive, they will have to be careful. “We are going to attack, but at the same time we cannot afford to allow Niger to hit us on the counter.”

Mosimane also said he had been working on the players' minds getting them prepared for what he said could be a difficult and frustrating 90 minutes.

“I think we will see a lot of time wasting tactics from Niger, lots of fouls and we have to be patient and not let those tactics upset us.

"We have one purpose and that is to win."

Should Niger come to attack and try and win, Bafana will be ready. “If they come at us like Ghana did, it will be a good match with plenty of excitement for the fans, but I doubt they will risk it.”

Mosimane warned Bafana players and fans not to be fooled by Niger's lowly world ranking of 145 against Bafana's improved world standing of 66th.

“I have struggled to get information on Niger, but information is they have improved. Niger clubs play regularly in the African Champions League and African Confederation Cup.

"That has given their top players much needed international experience and they are not going to be pushovers.

"Apart from parking their bus in defence they can also be a handful in attack and have a couple of class strikers if we allow them room.

"I have always said playing in those continental competitions is vital to any country's development. It has helped Niger progress internationally.”

Bafana skipper Aaron Mokena said the players would not become complacent: “The coach has been working hard with us showing us what we can expect from Niger.

"It has been a tough week, but we are well prepared. I agree we need to be strong mentally and not let Niger upset our game plan. We know they are looking for a draw and we will counter that.”

The match is heading for a sellout. By noon on Friday 36 000 of the 40 000 tickets had been sold and the SA Football Association reckon the game will be sold out by Friday afternoon.