For Shabba the game will also see him achieve another milestone – that of overtaking Neil Tovey’s club record, and becoming the most capped Chiefs player to have represented Bafana Bafana.

“I really have no words to describe how I feel at receiving this information,” explained Shabba when told by KaizerChiefs.com that he would be making his 53rd appearance (61 in total) for South Africa as a Chiefs player bettering Tovey’s 52 caps.

Shabba than went on to add, “I am pleased and I think honoured to know that I am on the brink of overtaking the record set by a legendary player like Neil Tovey.

“Playing for Chiefs was always my dream and to become the Chiefs player who has represented the country the most times is a further honour.”

A win in Niamey for Bafana Bafana can put them on the brink of qualification for next year’s tournament, the Chiefs number 14 is expecting a tough outing at the Stade Général Seyni Kountché.

“We will be going all out for a win and are expecting a very tough game and a physically demanding one too. I do feel that it will be an open game and they won’t wait and will be looking to open us up and attack. We have prepared well for the game and we have something special for them,” said Shabba.

The match in Niamey is the third game in succession that the hard-working midfielder will be captaining Bafana having already done so when Bafana earned a commendable draw in Egypt, and a win over Burkina Faso in a recent friendly he is hoping that South Africa can keep up that unbeaten run.

“Maybe I am the lucky charm,” he joked before adding, “seriously I do believe that my work is made simple by the players around me.

“On the field I just wear the armband, everyone is a captain in my view, giving their best and working hard, in the Bafana team everyone works for the success of the team and we all communicate well which has helped us be successful in recent times.”

Bafana Bafana jetted out on Friday for Niamey and will return home immediately after the game on Sunday.