Egypt reclaimed Group E top spot after laboring to a 1-0 victory over minnows Uganda in the World Cup qualifiers at Alexandria's Borg El-Arab Stadium, thanks to an early strike from Liverpool star Mohamed Salah.

Going into the game with no option but to beat the Cranes, it took Egypt just six minutes to score via Salah, whose sixth-minute goal eventually proved the winner.

Having surrendered top spot after their defeat to the very opponent in Kampala just a few days ago, Egypt have now returned to the summit top with nine points - two ahead of second-placed Uganda.

Egypt will now be hoping once-group rivals Ghana, who thrashed Congo 5-1 earlier in the day, defeat or even hold Uganda to a draw on October 7 in Kampala, just a day before the Pharaohs meet Congo at home.

Should the Ugandans fail to prevail against Ghana and Egypt overcome basement side Congo, Hector Cuper's men will be sure of a World Cup berth next year in Russia regardless of the result of their final group game with Ghana.

Seven-time African champions Egypt have yet to make a single World Cup appearance since last reaching the prestigious competition in 1990.