Egypt will compete with African minnows Uganda, Tanzania and Burundi in the regional competition in Cairo, two months before a crucial CAN 2012 qualifier against South Africa.

“The manager spoke with the players and asked them to be focused, because this is no friendly tournament,” Egypt’s second man Gharib told Nile Sport TV.

“We are in a pre-match camp for the decisive South Africa encounter.

“He also told the players to keep up the hard work with their respective clubs after the tournament.”

Egypt, lying bottom of Group 7 with one point from two games, will visit Bafana Bafana on the 25th of March.

Should the African champions fail to make the finals next year, it will be the first time ever for them to miss out on the Dark Continent’s top competition.