Gabon, Bafana Bafana's opponents in Sunday night's (9.45pm) Group B opening match of the African Nations Cup in Kumasi are a nation on a mission.
While critics give them little chance of progressing past the round-robin stage, the Azingo Nationale are aiming for their best Nations Cup tournament yet.
The oil-rich central African country - making their third appearance in the biennial, continental tournament - intend improving on their 1996 quarterfinal berth.
"I arrived in Gabon to take the team to the Nations Cup finals and surpass the nation's achievements in South Africa '96," said wily Brazilian coach Antonio Dumas.
Youth and sports minister Daniel Ona Ondo said: "Far from being minnows, the Azingo Nationale will perform well at the tournament."
Just how serious Gabon are taking this tournament is illustrated by the unusually high number of friendlies they've played as warm-up games (15 between November and January).
But the results did little to suggest that the country, thumped 4-1 by Bafana at Odi Stadium only to reverse it with a dubious 1-0 last-minute penalty win in Libreville during the qualifiers, will achieve their objective.
While they beat minnows such as Sao Taome e Principe, Chad and the Central African Republic, defeats by Nigeria, Egypt and Togo suggest Gabon could be found wanting against top class opposition.
Yet, as Bafana experienced in those two qualifying matches, victory over Gabon will be hard-fought.
The team assembled for the tournament is a healthy mix of experienced heads and young players hungry for success.
Sweeper and captain Francois Amegasse is the heart and soul of a nation whose first Nations Cup experience was a disastrous episode best forgotten.
In Tunisia '94, Amegasse wore an expression of despondency as Gabon were humiliated in the group matches, conceding seven goals in two clashes without scoring.
Two years later, things were to change dramatically for the powerfully built Amegasse and his compatriots as Gabon wooed the crowds in Durban with a fighting spirit and a brand of beautiful football that had the South African Football Association (Safa) clamouring for a friendly that never materialised.
While Amegasse will provide the steel and experience, leading striker Theodore Nzue Nguema will be the man giving opposition defenders sleepless nights.
Bafana Bafana will go into Sunday's match as favourites, but they must beware that they will be playing a nation on a mission.