Ahly sit bottom of Group A with a single point — level with Porto — behind Palmeiras of Brazil and MLS side Inter Miami, who both have four points.
The Cairo giants must defeat Porto and hope Palmeiras overcome Inter Miami to advance to the next round.
Any other result would eliminate them from the competition.
Porto face the same scenario: only a win, coupled with a favorable result in the other group match, will allow them reach the competition's round of 16.
The Portuguese side opened the tournament with a goalless draw against Palmeiras before suffering a surprise 2-1 defeat to Inter Miami, leaving their fate hanging by a thread.
“We take full responsibility. We must stay focused until the final whistle and aim for victory,” said Ahly midfielder Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane of Tunisia.
Winger Ahmed ‘Zizo’ Sayed struck a more hopeful tone: “We haven’t lost hope. We will play with even more concentration.”
Ahly coach José Riveiro will be without suspended defensive midfielder Marwan Atteya and injured winger Taher Mohamed, who is sidelined with a muscle injury.
Malian international Aliou Dieng, yet to feature in the tournament, is expected to replace Atteya in the starting line-up.
However, Ahmed Nabil “Kouka,” who missed the last match against Palmeiras, has been declared fit.
Leave a good mark
Ahly’s campaign has so far fallen short of expectations. A frustrating 0-0 draw with Inter Miami in their opener, followed by a 2-0 defeat to Palmeiras, left fans disappointed in a group many had considered favourable.
The club had high hopes after bolstering the squad with seven new signings ahead of the tournament — second only to Al Ain’s eight — but those reinforcements have yet to deliver.
For seasoned observers, the Club World Cup’s level of competition poses a serious challenge, but the greatest concern for Ahly supporters is the team’s inability to score a single goal in two matches — against sides not considered global heavyweights.
Adding to the pressure are comparisons with other African clubs: Tunisia’s Esperance beat LAFC 1-0, while South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns defeated Ulsan 1-0 before narrowly losing 4-3 to Borussia Dortmund. Notably, neither team made any new signings ahead of the competition.
“Ahly fans have every right to be disappointed. The match against Palmeiras was extremely difficult, but that’s no excuse — there’s nothing to justify,” Zizo said.
While a win against Porto would not ensure progression, it would at least help salvage pride for a club with a rich international pedigree.
For the players and staff, it is also about protecting the reputation of a continental powerhouse determined not to leave the world stage without making an impression.
Find more details on group standings, match schedules, and competition statistics.
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