Al Ahly’s seasoned goalkeeper, Mohamed El Shenawy, is resolute in leading his team to secure a coveted spot in the final of the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup.
The African champions are bracing themselves for a quarter-final clash against Saudi football giants Al Ittihad, scheduled to unfold at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah on Friday.
Despite Al Ahly’s storied football history, the club has yet to reach the pinnacle of the Club World Cup by securing a spot in the final.
While they have clinched the third-place position three times – in 2006, 2020, and 2021 – the pursuit of the ultimate glory remains an uncharted territory for the Egyptian powerhouse.
In a statement shared through the club’s official website, El Shenawy, who holds the captaincy for Al Ahly, expressed the team’s collective ambition.
“This is my fourth participation in the tournament, an important event for our club. This time, our ambition is to reach the final, building on our previous achievement, the bronze medal.”
Drawing on the wealth of experience gained in major tournaments and encounters with football giants like Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, El Shenawy believes that the team is well-prepared for the challenges that lie ahead.
He emphasized the significance of the players’ past experiences, stating, “Ahly players have gained valuable experience in major tournaments, having previously faced big teams like Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. This experience prepared us for difficult confrontations in the next matches.”
Notably, Raja Casablanca from Morocco and TP Mazembe from the DR Congo stand as the only African clubs to have etched their names in the annals of the Club World Cup by reaching the final.
As Al Ahly sets its sights on making history, the football world awaits with anticipation to see if they can secure a breakthrough and make their mark on this prestigious tournament.
