File Photo: Al Ahly's Mohamed El-Shenawy, Ayman Ashraf, Yasser Ibrahim and Mohamed Sherif celebrate winning the penalty shoot-out after the match between Al Ahly and Palmeiras in Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar taken on February 11, 2021. REUTERS
Ahly football director Sayed Abdel-Hafiz announced Thursday that his team is ready to face Tunisian giants Esperance in the African Champions League semifinals, as the Red Devils are bidding to win their 10th prestigious trophy.
CAF Champions League title holders Ahly arrived in Tunisia on Tuesday to face Esperance in the first leg of the continental tournament’s semifinals on 19 June, with the second leg set to be played on 26 June.
“The game will be difficult for the two sides, as Ahly and Esperance reached the semifinals in the last four times respectively,” Abdel-Hafiz was quoted as saying on the club’s official website.
“We are now concentrating on the game, and we are working to achieve a positive result in the away game that could help us in the home game,”
“Ahly and Esperance have talented players that could help them to snatch the title, and they are two of the biggest teams in Africa, so the game is expected to be difficult,” the Ahly football director said.
“We all know well the importance of Saturday’s game, as it is an important step in our road to reach the final, as well as keeping the trophy at home,” Sayed Abdel-Hafiz said.
Meanwhile, Ahly’s veteran winger Walid Soliman confirmed that he and his teammates are concentrating on the important game against Esperance.
“The Esperance game is expected to be difficult, as they have more experienced players in their squad, so no one can predict the game’s result,” Soliman told Ahly’s official website.
“All Ahly players are doing their best to achieve a positive result in the away game to please the team’s supporters,”
The Red Devils booked their place in the CAF Champions League semifinals after beating Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa 3-1 on aggregate, while Esperance of Tunisia made it to the semis after beating Chabab Belouizdad of Algeria 3-2 after penalty kicks.
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