Wydad coach 'unconcerned' by controversy of CL final venue

Ahram Online , Tuesday 10 May 2022

Wydad Casablanca coach Walid Regragui said on Tuesday he is not concerned by the controversy surrounding the venue that will host the African Champions League final, insisting that his team are ready to play anywhere.

Wydad Athletic Club manager Walid Regragui

The Moroccan side are on the verge of reaching the competition's final following a 3-1 away win over Angolan side Petro Atletico in the semi-final first-leg earlier this week.  

Reigning champions Ahly of Egypt also put one foot in the final crushing Algeria's ES Setif 4-0 at home on Saturday, setting up a likely clash against Wydad in a re-match of the 2017 final.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced on Monday that the final will take place in Morocco on 30 May, despite a recent request by Ahly to move the game to a neutral venue.

"We are ready to play anywhere. The CAF decided to play the final in Morocco and we should respect their decision," Regragui told Mountakhab newspaper.

"It is not important for us where the final will take place. We are ready to play in Dakar, in Istanbul or in any other place.

"We earned four away wins in this edition and we are ready to grab a fifth," he added.

Regragui also urged caution, saying Wydad had not yet secured their place in the final despite their comfortable first-leg advantage.

Wydad's Mohammed V Stadium also hosted last year's final, which Ahly won with a 3-0 victory over South Africa's Kaizer Chiefs.

(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)

Short link: