Egypt’s national football team has started serious training ahead of their double header against Uganda in the 2017 World Cup Qualifiers.

Fifteen players were present in the camp on Monday as the side officially started preparations.

The lot included veteran goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary, the only foreign-based star who made an appearance.

The Pharaohs who are expected to fly to Kampala two days before the match, face the Cranes in Kampala on 31 August.

The duo will be seeking spots for the finals of the 2017 World Cup in Russia from the third round of the qualification process, Egypt top of group E with six points.

Uganda, second with four points from two matches hosts the first leg at Mandela National Stadium, the return on 5 September at Alexandria’s Borg El-Arab Stadium in Egypt.