Al Ahly defender, Ayman Ashraf, spoke about their preparations for their game against Raja Casablanca in the CAF Champions League.
Al Ahly are set to host Raja Casablanca in the first leg of the CAF Champions League quarterfinals this Saturday, 16 April.
READ: Pitso Mosimane names Al Ahly squad for Raja Casablanca CAF CL clash
Both teams had very different journeys in the group stage. On the one hand the Reds had a difficult start, earning qualification in their final group game against Sudan’s Al Hilal.
Raja, on the other hand, advanced to the quarter-finals after dominating their group with five wins and just one defeat, earning 15 points in the process.
Ashraf is aware of the difficulty of the task ahead, but says they are ready for it.
“The match is difficult and important. Our goal is to achieve a positive result that will help the team in the second leg and qualify to continue our journey towards the title,” Ashraf said in the pre-match press conference.
“We are ready to play anywhere. In my opinion they won’t have an advantage in the second leg, regardless of the venue. We have specific experiences and goals, whether in the first or the second leg. And we are looking to keep a clean sheet and score goals to qualify.
“Raja is a strong team and is a big club in the Arab world. We have all appreciation and respect for them as a team on and off the field, and we hope that tomorrow’s match will be a fair one, worthy of the name and stature of the two clubs.
“The postponement of the league match helped the team take a rest and prepare optimally for tomorrow’s match. Everyone is ready and enthusiastic for this match, and seeks to perform well and get a result that makes the Al Ahly fans happy, who always support us,” he concluded.
