Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos admits that the progress of his young national side has taken him by surprise since his arrival earlier this year.
The 69-year-old Belgian replaced Molefi Ntseki in May but only took charge of his first official match in September when the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers kicked off.
Since then, Broos has overseen four matches, winning three and drawing one fixture as Bafana lead Group G with 10 points ahead of the final two games of the first round of qualifiers.
The Black Stars are South Africa's only threat heading into the final two matches, with the group winner advancing to the next round of qualifiers.
Ethiopia and Zimbabwe have no chance of advancing to the next round.
To ensure passage to the next round, Bafana will need four points (win and a draw), if Ghana win their match against Ethiopia on Thursday.
"First of all, I am surprised that we are now in this position because three months ago, I think if you said to someone that we will be first in the group, everybody would laugh," Broos said.
"We've done a fantastic job until now. The players have been fantastic.
"I took players and made choices; sometimes, my choices were not good, and certainly, when I see the (current) 23 players, it changed over the past few months.
"It was difficult for me to make that first selection because I did not know much about South African football, and now I know much more about them."
'Let the games come'
Broos named a 24-man squad for the matches against Zimbabwe and Ghana this week, with in-form Keagan Dolly returning to the national set-up with Percy Tau.
"I like players like Dolly, who was before with Bafana Bafana, and suddenly they were not there anymore, and now he worked hard, and he is again there, and those are things that can make the team better," Broos continued.
"Again, I know we are playing two very important games, but that does not make me nervous because I have confidence in that team. So, let the games come, and we will see."
On Thursday, 11 November (21:00), South Africa welcome the Warriors before boarding a plane to take on the Black Stars three days later on Sunday, 14 November (21:00).
Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (SuperSport United), Veli Mothwa (AmaZulu), Bruce Bvuma (Kaizer Chiefs) Defenders: Nyiko Mobbie (Sekhukhune United), Njabulo Blom (Kaizer Chiefs), Siyanda Xulu (Hapoel Tel Aviv, Israel), Rushine De Reuck (Mamelodi Sundowns), Njabulo Ngcobo (Kaizer Chiefs), Terrence Mashego (Cape Town City), Tercious Malepe (Amazulu), Thibang Phete (Belenenses SAD, Portugal)
Midfielders: Sphelelo Sithole (Belenenses SAD, Portugal), Thabani Zuke (Lamontville Golden Arrows), Ethan Brooks (TS Galaxy), Teboho Mokoena (SuperSport United), Yusuf Maart (Sekhukhune United), Mduduzi Mdantsane (Cape Town City), Keagan Dolly (Kaizer Chiefs)
Forwards: Fagrie Lakay (Cape Town City), Evidence Makgopa (Baroka FC), Victor Letsoalo (Royal AM), Percy Tau (Al Ahly, Egypt), Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Maritzburg United), Pule Mmodi (Lamontville Golden Arrows)