Africa’s most successful football club, Al Ahly will face Spanish giants Real Madrid later tonight in the semi final of the FIFA Club World Cup in Morocco.
The Egyptian side will carry Africa’s hopes as they hope to break the jinx that has seen them finish third in three previous occasions in this tournament.
After two wins in the tournament so far Al Ahly will be motivated that they can get a good result against a depleted Real Madrid side at the Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium in Morocco.
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti will miss the services of of key striker Karim Benzema, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, and defenders Eder Militao, Lucas Vazquez, and Ferland Mendy.
But Al Ahly coach Marcel Koller says although they have already beaten two teams in this tournament, they must be at their best against a Real Madrid team that has experience and are also the champions.
Al Ahly midfielder Aliou Dieng has said playing the champions of Europe Real Madrid is a good challenge. “ To play against Real Madrid is the dream. It is really a dream come true,” he added.
Al Ahly will also hope that Hussein Elshahat, Mohamed Sherif, Mohamed Magdy Afsha and South African international Percy Tau can continue with their good form in the tournament to score more goals when it matters most.ed.
The FIFA Club World Cup is a competition where winners of six continental considerations as well as the host nation’s league champions battle.
Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca and Al Ahly represented Africa. Wydad were beaten at the first hurdle by Asian Champions Al Hilal in shootouts.
Al Ahly beat Oceania’s champions Auckland City 3-0 to reach the quarter final stage, while they saw off North American champions Seattle Sounders 1-0 to make it to the last four.
