“Pachuca is a formidable team. We watched their match against Botafogo, where they scored three goals in just 15 minutes," El Shahat, 32, told FIFA.com

"I expected them to qualify because Botafogo seemed fatigued due to travel and a demanding schedule,” he added.

“We respect Pachuca and will approach the game with full focus to secure a victory and reach the final."

"Our goal is to win both the FIFA Challenger Cup and the FIFA Intercontinental Cup,” El Shahat added.

Ahly has finished with the bronze four times in 12 appearances in the Club World Cup.

The winner of Saturday’s match will face UEFA Champions League holders Real Madrid in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup final at Lusail Stadium on Wednesday, 18 December.

“I’m proud to be the player with the most appearances in these tournaments," said the Egypt international El Shahat, who scored 4 goals in 16 appearances in FIFA’s annual club competitions with Ahly and UAE’s Al-Ain.

"It’s an honour to represent the African champion and compete against top clubs like Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Pachuca, and Palmeiras,” he added.

Ahly, who won the CAF after defeating the Tunisian side Esperance 1-0, advanced to the FIFA Challenger Cup semi-finals by defeating UAE’s Al-Ain 3-0 in the FIFA African–Asian–Pacific Cup, earning the Three Continents Cup in the process.

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