Egypt are set to play three friendly games in Sudan before beginning their quest to reach the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

Hany Ramzy’s side are holding a training camp in the fellow Arab country, where they will face Sudan’s Olympic team and local clubs Hilal and Al-Merreikh.

The team are missing Ahly’s diminutive attacking midfielder Mostafa Selim ‘Afroto’, who could not obtain permission to travel in time due to his mandatory military service.

Egypt will also play Comoros’ senior team on 18 March, six days before taking on Botswana in a two-legged tie in their opening match of the Olympic Games qualifiers.

The Pharaohs have not reached the Olympics since the 1992 tournament in Barcelona.