Egypt, who are aiming to end a decades-old World Cup absence, will face either Chad or Sierra in a two-legged knockout clash in their opening qualifier for the 2018 finals in Russia. Due to Egypt's FIFA ranking, they were given a bye into the second round where they will be paired with the winners of a first-round game between Chad or Sierra Leone. The Pharaohs missed out on a place at the last edition in 2014 in Brazil after suffering a humiliating 7-3 aggregate defeat by Ghana in a playoff. More to follow. http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/136180.aspx