HOSTS Egypt were paired with heavyweights Nigeria and Senegal in the U20 African Nations Cup after the draw was made by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Friday.
The three powerhouses were placed in Group A, which also includes outsiders Mozambique.
Group B includes Uganda, Central Africa, South Sudan and Congo while Group C features Tunisia, Benin, Zambia and Gambia.
The tournament will take place in Egypt from 18 February to 12 March.
Egypt missed the previous edition in Mauritania in 2021, having withdrawn from the qualifiers after being hit with more than a dozen COVID-19 infections.
The Pharaohs won the U20 Nations Cup four times in 1981, 1991, 2003 and 2013. Nigeria are the record winners with seven titles.
