It was also the city where Amakhosi midfielder Siphiwe Tshabala than a relatively unknown player made his debut for Bafana Bafana in January 2006 against the Pharaohs in a friendly game.

Shabba came on as a 61st minute substitute as South Africa defeated Egypt 2-1 in a warm up game on January 14 2006, ahead of the 2006 CAF Africa Cup of Nations, 58 games and over five years the dread locked midfielder returns to the site where it all began.

Speaking at a press briefing in Johannesburg on Wednesday where Bafana Bafana were cross promoting 100 Days to the 2011 Rugby World Cup he said of the game against Egypt.

“It’s good to be back in the team once again, there is always the pride of playing for your country. This match means a lot to me as I will be returning to the place where I made my debut.

Back then I was a youngster and I have grown in confidence and experience, and I am a lot wiser now. Even though I have travelled a lot with the national team, this will still be a different experience for me.”

Shabba who captained South Africa in the latter stages of their Group G victory in March over Egypt talked up the importance of what at the least collecting a point from the game will mean for their ambitions to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations.

With Egypt currently at the foot of the group a Bafana victory or draw could spell the end of Egypt's hopes of trying to win a fourth successive Nations Cup title as he added, “we can’t emphasize this enough, victory is vital for us to stay top of the group.

A draw will still suffice but three points will be great. We have done very well up to this point and we can’t let it slip now.

It would be great to help my teammates get another victory over Egypt. But I know it will be a tough day at the office for us, and our approach should be business-like because they are fighting for their lives in the qualifiers so nothing will come easy for us.”

Shabba featured in his 50th game for South Africa as a Chiefs player during the win back in March over Egypt, he his two games away from equalling former Amakhosi and Bafana Bafana skipper Neil Tovey's record of having represented Bafana Bafana on 52 ocassions as a Chiefs player.

Bafana Bafana moved from their base in Rustenburg to Johannesburg on Wednesday and will depart for Cairo on Thursday evening, they will face Egypt at the 22 000 capacity Military stadium in the City on Sunday.