CAIRO-A 1-1 draw with Zambia that ultimately cost Egypt a place at the World Cup remains fresh in the memory of the Pharaohs ahead of their game against Sierra Leone in the African Cup of Nations qualifiers.
On paper, Egypt should enjoy a smooth ride against minnows Sierra Leone at Cairo Stadium on Sunday night in their opening Group G game of the 2012 Nations Cup qualifiers.
The huge gulf in class between Egypt and Sierra Leone tips the seven-time African champions to secure a comprehensive win but they learned that nothing can be taken for granted in the so unpredictable football.
In March 2009, Egypt kicked off the final phase of their 2010 World Cup qualifiers with a hugely disappointing draw at home to Zambia.
Losing two points in that early stage proved decisive at the end after Algeria secured a place at the South Africa finals following a playoff victory over bitter rivals Egypt in Sudan.
"We don't want a repeat of what happened against Zambia last year," Egypt's assistant coach Shawki Gharib said.
"The draw against Zambia eventually resulted in our failure to reach the World Cup.
"We are fully focused and determined to claim all three points in our first game in this group."
South Africa eased to a 2-0 victory over Niger in the other group game on Saturday.
The group winners will qualify directly for the Nations Cup, which will be held in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, while the runners-up will have to be one of the best three second-placed teams in the qualifiers to go through.
Egypt's worries include facing a team that is very unfamiliar to them, according to skipper Ahmed Hassan.
"We have to fully respect Sierra Leone, the match will be difficult," the veteran Ahli midfielder told reporters.
"Sierra Leone are a mysterious team for us, we could not get any video footages for their games."
Egypt coach Hassan Shehata will have to rely on some inexperienced strikers to deliver due to the absence of the key frontmen.
Emad Meteb is missing due to lack of playing time after he opted not to honor the contract he signed with Belgian side Standard Liege to return to Egyptian champions Ahli.
Zamalek's Amr Zaki was left out for 'feigning injury' while Borussia Dortmund's Mohamed Zidan is still nursing a serious knee injury he sustained last April.
Harras Hodoud forward Ahmed Eid is also out for disciplinary reasons, having been handed a four-match suspension for confronting the referee in an Egyptian Premier League game.
Ismaili striker Ahmed Ali, who scored two goals in the 6-3 victory over DR Congo, is likely to spearhead Egypt's attack in the game.
Sierra Leone will be without star striker Mohamed Kallon, who said he was not fully fit to play.
AC Milan youngster Rodney Strasser is expected to make his international debut with Sierra Leone against Egypt.
