Al Ahly midfielder Amr El Solia has affirmed that the team is fully aware of the responsibility ahead of them as they prepare to take on Wydad Athletic Club in the second leg of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League final in Casablanca on Sunday night.
Ahly go into the match with a slim 2-1 lead from the first leg played in Cairo last week, and only need to avoid defeat to reclaim their title from Wydad.
And, El Solia knows only too well the task ahead of them, playing at the same ground they lost the crown last season.
“We are working to achieve a positive result in the second leg in Casablanca. All players are focused and aware of the responsibility ahead of us. We want to return to Cairo with the trophy. We will face a big team in front of a respectable crowd and we are here to ensure we keep our cool and finish the job,” El Solia said, speaking after Friday evening’s open training session in Casablanca.
Despite an expectedly difficult outing awaiting them at the Stade Mohamed V, the midfielder says they are used to tough situations and are ready to overcome.
“Everyone is ready to give everything to win the match and the title. We know Wydad are tough when playing at home in front of their fans, but we are fully prepared for what awaits us,” noted El Solia.
His sentiments are shared by striker Mohamed Sherif who has stated that they are in Casablanca to bag the title.
“We finished the first half of the final with a win at home and ow we are coming into the second half for the same. We want to make our fans happy and that is by winning the title,” noted Sheriff.
Hussein Elshahat, who has been a key figure for Ahly this campaign knows they expect a tough outing, but reiterates the team’s hunger to battle for a record extending 11th Champions League star.
“It will be a difficult match for both teams. As players, we don’t fear any kind of pressure. We will try to build on what we achieved in Cairo. The huge number of fans expected in the stadium will be a motivation for us and pressure for Wydad because they are in a must win situation,” noted the forward.
He has challenged his teammates to put in their best in the duel, as they seek a win. This will be the third time they are facing Wydad in a Champions League final, with Wydad winning the two previous encounters.
They will look to banish this history.