African champions Egypt face familiar challenge

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JOHANNESBURG, Mar 25 (AFP): Defending Africa Cup of Nations champions Egypt enter dangerous but familiar territory Saturday when they confront South Africa at Ellis Park here in a key 2012 qualifier. The star-stacked 'Pharaohs' have just one point from two Group G outings with a home draw against Sierra Leone following by a stunning loss away to equally modest Niger. A South African team craving a return to the glory days of the mid-1990s when they won the Cup of Nations in front of an 80,000 Johannesburg crowd including then president Nelson Mandela top the table with four points. Niger have three points, Sierra Leone two and Egypt lie bottom in the biggest shock so far of the 44-nation chase for 14 places at finals to be co-hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea early next year. Egypt faced an identical Cup of Nations situation two years ago having drawn with Zambia and lost to Algeria and responded by winning the remaining four qualifiers and finishing group winners. It will be hard to match that feat, though, as the 2010 qualifiers revival began against lightweights Rwanda in Cairo -- a far less daunting task than Bafana Bafana (The Boys) away. South Africa are cock a hoop ahead of the fixture at the ground where South Africa won the first of two Rugby World Cup titles 16 years ago by defeating the New Zealand All Blacks. "Egypt have been affected by the popular uprising in their country and we have to take advantage. This is an opportunity for us to stop the North African domination of the tournament," says coach Pitso Mosimane. "The 'Pharaohs' are African champions and deserve respect but we must not overdo it. To win we must recapture the spirit and mentality that brought us victory over France in our last World Cup match." Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Steven Pienaar leads his country for the first time in a competive match after the long anticipated axing of 107-cap central defender Aaron Mokoena. Injuries to Tsepo Masilela, Lucas Thwala and Mzivukile Tom have given Mosimane a defensive headache and he is considering moving experienced rightback Sibiniso Gaxa to the opposite flank. More encouraging for Bafana Bafana is the return to form of World Cup striker Katlego Mphela after he boycotted club training for several weeks because of a transfer dispute. Hassan Shehata has coached Egypt to a record three consecutive Cup of Nations titles and seems unconcerned by possible rustiness with domestic football suspended since the mid-January revolt against Hosni Mubarak.