There are also crucial games for 2010 World Cup competitors Algeria and Togo, who were at the 2006 competition, while there will also be eyes on the city of N'Djamena in Chad.

That is where minnows Botswana will be hoping to become the first team to join 2012 hosts Gabon and Equatorial Guinea if they can upstage the home side.

But the centre of attraction is likely to be on Johannesburg tomorrow when Hassan Shehata's winless Pharaohs attempt to avoid defeat to last year's World Cup hosts.

Bafana Bafana are the slight favourites for the match at Ellis Park, mainly because the visitors have suffered from a lack of match practice in recent months due to the uprising in the country.

The Egyptians are currently bottom of Group G with just a point from their opening two games, while Pitso Mosimane's men have four.

But the coach is well aware that the three-time reigning champions should not be written off.

"Experience has taught me not to underestimate countries faced with such circumstances," he said. "So the troubles in Egypt count for nothing with me because I know that it is not the players toy-toying (protesting) in the streets."

He is also confident his side can rise to the occasion, adding: "We have trained well and done our tactics so the job is done in that respect. So we believe we can win this game."

Elsewhere in the group, Niger, who beat Egypt in their last game, host Sierra Leone in Niamey.

The other focal point tomorrow will be Dakar, where the Senegalese will be aiming to make it three wins from three in Group E with a win over Cameroon.

The Indomitable Lions were held 1-1 in their last game against the Democratic Republic of Congo to slip of the pace, and will need to avoid defeat to keep the pressure on the home side.

Senegal, meanwhile, are the top scorers so far having bagged 11 goals in their two games, including seven against Mauritius who travel to Congo.

In central Africa, unbeaten Botswana will be aiming to draw some of the attention towards Group K where a win, or even a draw depending on other results, will see them book a first-ever trip to the finals.

Defender Mogogi Gabonamong said: "It is every player's dream to play at the biggest continental showpiece and we are no different.

"We haven't qualified yet, but know a win will take us there."

In the same group, Malawi can end Togo's hopes of qualifying with victory in Blantyre

Algeria, bottom of Group D with just a point, could find themselves left behind in the race for 2012 if they fail to win the north African derby with Morocco in Annaba.

The Atlas Lions are joint-top of the pool alongside Central African Republic - the surprise leaders travelling to Tanzania in the other game.

In selected other games, Mali and Nigeria will be looking to go top of their groups with wins over Zimbabwe and Ethiopia respectively.

Recent political trouble in Ivory Coast and Libya means there are neutral venues for the two nations.

The Elephants face Benin in Accra, while the Libyans host Comoros in Bamako, a match to be played on Monday.