Al Ahly two matches from facing Real Madrid

Yesterday at 07:00 AM

Al Ahly are two matches away from facing Real Madrid in the final of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup.

The reigning CAF Champions League title holders will take on UAE club Al Ain (The AFC Champions League winners) in the second round of the competition, with their clash set for the Cairo International Stadium on October 29.

The winner of that match will then advance to the playoff phase of the competition, which will be played in Qatar in December, against the winners of a fixture pitting Mexico's Pachuca (the CONCACAF Champions) against the CONMEBOL's Copa Libertadores champions (to be determined in late November).

The playoff winners then battle UEFA Champions League winners Real Madrid in the final in Doha on December 18.

The FIFA Intercontinental Cup is the new annual FIFA competition with the participation of the champions of the six confederations, with the first two matches being played in the countries of the respective home clubs, while the later stages being played in a neutral venue.

FIFA has designated Qatar as the host for the inaugural FIFA Intercontinental Cup after their successful organisation of the World Cup in 2022.

Al Ain began their journey in the competition on Sunday against New Zealand’s Auckland City in the African-Asian-Pacific Cup play-off.

The Emirati side had a strong start to the competition at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium with a 6-2 win over the New Zealand club.

“We want to defeat Al Ahly in Cairo to reach the semifinals [playoff]. It will be a tough match against a big team who will have a massive support from their fans but we will go to Cairo to win the match,” said Soufiane Rahimi, Al Ain’s Moroccan striker.

Rahimi, who has been nothing short of outstanding for Al Ain after scoring 13 goals in their AFC Champions League triumph last season, added:

“It will be a game between the biggest two sides in Asia and Africa and we are sure that our fans will travel to Cairo to support the team in the match.”