Namibia head coach Collin Benjamin believes his side are “immune” to their underdogs status as they attempt to make history on Sunday.

Deon Hotto’s late header gave the Namibians their first ever win in the Africa Cup of Nations as the Brave Warriors stunned 2004 champions Tunisia 1-0 in their Group E opener earlier this week.

Another surprise victory when they take on South Africa in Korhogo this weekend would represent a major step towards reaching the knockout stages of the competition for the first time.

And Benjamin argued one of the touchstones of his side’s successful start to their campaign has been their ability to block out noise from outside the camp.

“They are just focused on the task at hand. I have never seen such dedication from a group of players,” said Benjamin. “On the field, in the gym, during breakfast, they are just focused. Even I am afraid of them!

“They not only carrying their own aspirations but it’s the hopes and dreams of the entire nation. For us being underdogs to a certain extent we are immune to it.

“We are preparing properly and as professionals. We are going to give everything, and this is what we live for.”

South Africa are looking to rebound from their 2-0 loss to Mali earlier this week, with Bafana Bafana boss Hugo Broos urging his side to learn from their errors.

“The only thing that we cannot do is to repeat the same mistakes that we made with Mali,” Broos said in quotes on the competition’s official website.

Tunisia fell to a shock 1-0 defeat against Namibia in their Africa Cup of Nations opener in Korhogo.

Deon Hotto stole in to head the winner in the 88th minute for the side ranked 115 in the world, getting on the end of substitute Bethuel Muzeu’s cross.

It leaves Tunisia facing a challenge to make it to the last 16, with matches against South Africa and Mali to come in the group stage.

For Namibia, it was a first-ever win at the tournament at their 10th attempt across four finals.

Peter Shalulile had the chance after 10 minutes to give them a surprise early lead but fired straight at Bechir Ben Said after the ball reached him inside the box, striking first time when he had space to take a touch.

Yousef Msakni tested goalkeeper Lloyd Kazapua with a header from a corner seconds after the break as Tunisia looked to finally make their supposed superiority count.

Shalulile, making his 50th international appearance, had an even better opportunity minutes later, meeting a low cross with his toe and seeing his effort diverted behind from the foot of the post by defender Montassar Talbi.

Talbi put a header wide from a free-kick after 70 minutes with the goalkeeper having committed himself. Kazapua redeemed himself in Tunisia’s next attack, saving with his legs from Elias Achouri after coming out and narrowing the angle well.

Ben Said punched Hotto’s free-kick from the right over the bar in the final five minutes as Namibia sought an unlikely win.

And with two minutes of normal time to play, the goal that stunned Tunisia arrived, Hotto appearing inside the six-yard box to nod home and cause the shock of the tournament so far.