El Shenawy: It is good to play in Morocco but it is not an advantage

Cairo-17 July 2021: Mohamed El Shenawy, Al Ahly's captain, stated in the pre-match press conference that it is good that an Arab city hosts the CAF Champions League final but it will not be an advantage for the Red Eagles over their opponents in the final, Kaizer Chiefs.

 

"Playing in Morocco doesn’t give us an advantage over Kaizer Chiefs F.C., as they played the first leg of the semi-finals at Mohamed V Stadium against Wydad AC. However, having an Arab country organizing the final is a good thing.” El Shenawy said.

 

Since the Confederation of African Football (CAF) changed the format of the competition, the final has been held as a single match at a venue pre-selected by CAF and this year Casablanca was the destination after Cairo hosted last year's final. 

 

Al Ahly's captain added "We will face a strong opponent. We are aware of the difficulty of this match. We look to win every tournament which we participate in. We pass this legacy through every generation."

 

El Shenawy hopes to be the second captain in the club's history to lift the trophy twice after Shady Mohamed, who did it in 2006 and 2008. 

 

The winner of tonight's final will represent Africa in the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup, scheduled in Japan next December.