South Africa’s head coach Ephraim 'Shakes' Mashaba has tipped the Black Stars to win next year’s Africa Cup of Nations tournament to be staged in Gabon.

Mashaba will be engaging the Black Stars in a friendly game on October 11 after taking on the Stallions of Burkina Faso in the opening match of the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 qualifiers on Saturday, 8 October 2016 at Stade Du 4 Aout in Ouagadougou.

The Bafana Bafana trainer failed to qualify for the 2017 AFCON but believes Ghana’s quality could see her win the silverware for a fifth time.

“Before a tournament, every country becomes a favourite. Looking at Ghana’s previous performance in 2015 with such quality players I think the Black Stars Stand tall but need to work harder”, he told Starr Sports.

Meanwhile, Mashaba has announced a 25-man squad to face the Black Stars.