Egypt were drawn among familiar faces at next year's African Cup of Nations finals in Gabon after Wednesday's draw in Libreville paired them with World Cup qualifying opponents Ghana and Uganda.
Hector Cuper's men will also play Mali in Group D as they prepare to make their first Nations Cup appearance since winning the last of their record seven titles in 2010.
Back then, Egypt prevailed with a narrow 1-0 victory over Ghana in a nail-biting final as a new-found rivalry arose from some crucial meetings between both sides in recent years.
The matches pitting the continent heavyweights included a painful one for Egypt in 2013 when they suffered a stunning 7-3 aggregate defeat by Ghana in a World Cup qualifying playoff, including a 6-1 first-leg embarrassment in Kumasi.
Egypt were also drawn with Ghana and Uganda in their World Cup qualifying campaign.
Uganda held Ghana to a surprise 0-0 away draw while Egypt kicked off their Group E campaign with a 2-1 win at Congo. Egypt next face Ghana in a vital qualifier at home next month.
Egypt lost only once in 20 meetings with Uganda. Their last match was a 2013 friendly in Egypt that saw the hosts claim a 3-0 win.
The Pharaohs also last faced Mali in a friendly in 2010, which they won 1-0 courtesy of a goal from former forward Mohamed Gedo.
Gedo was the hero of Egypt's last Nations Cup triumphant campaign, scoring five goals - all off the bench - to finish as the tournament's top scorer.
Egypt, who were seeded third, avoided being drawn in the tougher Group B which includes North African rivals Algeria and Tunisia along with powerhouses Senegal and minnows Zimbabwe or Group C that includes Ivory Coast, DR Congo, Morocco and Togo.
Assistant coach Mahmoud Fayez said before the draw that Argentinean boss Cuper was not concerned over Egypt's Nations Cup opponents, preferring instead to fully focus on the upcoming World Cup qualifier against Ghana.
The Nations Cup will be played from 14 January to 5 February in Libreville, Franceville, Oyem and Port Gentil.
