Semifinals:
Tuesday, February 7
*Flamengo 2-3 Al Hilal
Wednesday, February 8
*Al Ahly Vs Real Madrid – 10pm
Al Ahly will be eyeing for an historical place in the FIFA Club World Cup final when they meet Real Madrid in Wednesday’s semis at the Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium in Morocco.
The FIFA Club World Cup is a competition completed for by winners of six continental considerations as well as the host nation’s league champions.
Africa was represented by CAF Champions League champions Wydad Casablanca, and then beaten finalists Al Ahly took the host Morocco – As two clubs from the same country cannot compete in this competition.
Wydad were beaten at the first hurdle by Asian Champions Al Hilal in shootouts.
Al Ahly beat Oceania’s champions Auckland City 3-0 thanks to goals from Hussein Elshahat, Mohamed Sherif and Percy Tau to reach quarterfinals.
They faced Seattle Sounders (North American champions – CONCACAF), edging the tie 1-0 thanks to a goal from Mohamed Magdy Afsha.
And they face European champions (Uefa) Real Madrid who enter the competition at the Semifinals.
Al Ahly midfielder Aliou Dieng told FIFA: “Obviously, I am so delighted as we managed to reach the semi-finals again, and I am also so happy to be facing the champions of Europe Real Madrid.”
“To play against Real Madrid is the dream. If we were told that we would be playing against Real Madrid, we would reply no, you must be insane. It is really a dream come true.”
Its strong to note that only two African sides have ever played at the final – TP Mazembe from DR Congo (2010) and Moroccan club Raja Casablanca (2013).
Al Ahly – 10-time CAF Champions League winners, have finished third at FIFA Club World Cup on three occasions – 2006, 2020 and 2021.
“They’re a team full of history, one of the most important in world football. They are well organised with skilful players and it’s going to be a competitive game,” said Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelloti.
“They want to win just as much as we do. We have a lot of respect for them, like everyone else, especially a club with such a strong history in African football.”
Real Madrid who beat Liverpool to win the UEFA Champions League last season, have won the Club World Cup on four occasions – 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018.
Chelsea are defending champions having beaten Palmeiras (Brazil) in February last year.
