Anxious but hopeful: Ahly speak before clash against Bayern Munich in FIFA Club World Cup

Mahmoud Elassal , Friday 5 Feb 2021

Ahly's skipper Mohamed El-Shennawi vowed that he and his teammates will do their best during the coming game against Bayern Munich in order to be a 'good representative of Africa'

AHLY
Ahly's midfielder Mohamed Magdy runs with the ball during the FIFA Club World Cup second round football match between Qatar's Duhail and Egypt's Al-Ahly at the Education City Stadium in the Qatari city of Ar-Rayyan on February 4, 2021. AFP

Ahly coach and players all concurred that their mission against Europe champions Bayern Munich in the semi-finals of FIFA Club World Cup on Monday in the Qatari capital will be very tough, saying their "ultimate goal" is to "enjoy palying football."

The 2020 Egyptian and African Champions secured another Club World Cup semi-finals' appearance after defeating Al-Duhail of Qatar in the quarter finals 1-0 on Thursday courtesy of a 30th minute screamer from Hussein El-Shahat.

Ahly's South African coach Pitso Mosimane admitted that the game against Bayern Munich - set for Ahmad Bin Ali stadium - will be difficult for his side, declaring the European champions are "a big team."

"[It's big] to play against Bayern Munich, it's a big team who defeated topflight Barcelona 8-2 in the UEFA Champions League," Mosimane told reporters after the victory over Al Duhail.

"We will play against Bayern for the joy since we have nothing to lose."

Ahly's defender Ayman Ashraf agreed with his coach that the mission against Bayern Munich will be difficult and requires serious concentration.

"We will face the UEFA Champions League winner so we to have to exert more concentration," Ashraf told a television programme.

Ahly's goalkeeper and skipper Mohamed El-Shennawi vowed that he and his teammates will do their best during the coming game against Bayern Munich in order to be a "good representative of Africa."

"Bayern Munich is a very big team. [Up till Thursday] we had been focused only on Al Duhail game. [But now] we will start preparation for Bayern Munich clash to put on a big game," El-Shenawy said.

Meanwhile, Khaled Mortagi, Ahly board member, said his team will play against Bayern to "enjoy playing football."

"Bayern Munich is one of the greatest teams ... they defeated Barcelona with a big score ... so we [just] have to enjoy playing football against them," Mortagi said.

Ahly winger Hussien El-Shahat agreed with his teammates the game against Bayern will be difficult, but promised his team will do their best during the game.

"Bayern is the biggest team Europe ... we have started preparation for the game ... we will do our best to rise to the event," the Ahy's winger added.

This is the third time for the African champions to reach the semifinals in now-seven-appearances at the FIFA Club World Cup, achieving a similar feat in 2006 and 2012.

The two sides had last met in 2012 in a friendly game with the German powerhouse defeating Ahly 2-1 at the same Qatari stadium.

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