The CAF Champions League holders will take on Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal at 13:00 GMT in Abu Dhabi today as both sides aim to secure back-to-back bronze medals.
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The Club of the Century have brought two bronze medals to Africa so far. And Coach Pitso Mosimane could become the first coach in the club’s and Africa’s history finish third at the Club World Cup twice.
Mosimane touched on the criticism he may receive after not improving on the third-place finish he achieved last season.
“Criticism is part of football. I’ve seen Pep Guardiola being criticized. So who am I to avoid it. I believe it can be a motive that pushes you forward. That’s why we need it to improve.
“Right now, we are being criticized because we failed to qualify for the Club World Cup final. People are saying you could have done better.”
Meanwhile, it’s Al Hilal’s second Club World Cup third-place playoff after they lost the 2019 version on penalties to Monterrey.
Al Ahly Starting XI: Ali Lotfi; Mohamed Hany, Mohamed Abdelmenem, Yasser Ibrahim, Ali Ma’aloul; Aliou Dieng, Amr El-Sulya, Hamdi Fathi; Taher, Hussein El-Shahat, Mohamed Sherif.