By Osasu Obayiuwana BBC Sport

Radebe left the national team in May

Former South Africa captain Lucas Radebe has admitted that his country could have problems qualifying from their tough Nations Cup group in Tunisia.

The central defender, who ended his international career in May, said the Bafana Bafana would have a hard task earning vital points against Nigeria and Morocco to earn one of the two quarter-final spots from Group D.

"On paper, our group does look like the group of death," Radebe told the BBC Sport website.

"When we talk about the big countries [in African football], we have to mention South Africa, Nigeria and Morocco.

"But having to qualify from this group with these two teams? It's going to be really testing for us.

"However, I'm confident that with the players and the experienced coach that we have, we should be able to make it."

Our group does look like the group of death Lucas Radebe

But Radebe acknowledged the fact that the strained relationship between national manager Ephraim Mashaba and the country's European-based players needs to be repaired if the Bafana Bafana is to go to the Nations Cup finals as a united side.

"We know that most European clubs are very reluctant to release their players for Nations Cup preparations.

"But I think there is sufficient time to organise their release now, in order to ensure that there are no squabbles between the clubs, the players and the national federation," Radebe said.

Although the 34-year-old has retired from the national team, he has not quit serving his country.

Picked as one of the goodwill ambassadors for South Africa's 2010 World Cup bid, Radebe said he is determined to help his country become the first African nation to host football's most prestigious event.

"Hosting the World Cup is a dream of all football lovers in my country and I am playing my role to ensure that it happens."