They were greeted by a cacophony of noise at the OR Tambo Airport as a number of fans gathered to welcome them home.

Among the returning Bafana party were Chiefs trio Itumeleng Khune, Siphiwe Tshabalala and Reneilwe Letsholonyane, all of whom featured during Sunday’s draw in Cairo.

Letsholonyane, who played a key role in midfield, took time out to speak to kaizerchiefs.com and said of the game: “We expected a difficult game and it was just that. We knew that they were going to push us and we had a plan and we did well to stick to it and credit to the entire team for going to what is traditionally a difficult place to get a result and come back with a point.”

Yeye also praised his Bafana teammates for not getting distracted by the intimidating atmosphere in the Egyptian capital as they knuckled down and earned a draw. “We worked very hard for ten days in the build-up to the game and we were not going to let all of that count for nothing by letting our focus get distracted.

"Playing in a difficult atmosphere like that can be hard but we did not let the crowd get to us.”

Letsholonyane was also complimentary of his Amakhosi teammate Siphiwe Tshabalala, who skippered South Africa against the Pharaohs. “Siphiwe did a good job. He demonstrated that he is a leader and the other players listened to him.”

With Bafana Bafana unbeaten in their qualifying Group for next year’s Caf Africa Cup of Nations after playing four games, Letsholonyane holds the view that they are benefitting from South Africa’s hosting of the 2010 Fifa World Cup.

“The World Cup has definitely played a role in us having achieved the kind of results that we have over the last year. We learned many things in the build up to and during the World Cup.

"Crucially, we have adapted to playing against difficult opponents and we are able to now play under different conditions away from home. Hopefully we can now get the points we need to qualify for the Nations Cup.”