As Al Ahly prepare for their seventh visit to South Africa, club captain Mohamed El-Shenawy has insisted their CAF Champions League encounter against Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday will yield their first victory in Mzansi.
Check Out: Al Ahly Confirm Training Base In SA For Downs Clash
The Club of the Century is at risk of not qualifying for the knockout stages of African football's premier club competition for the first time since the 2015/16 season as they currently sit in third place in Group B, behind Sudanese giants Al Hilal and Sundowns.
The Egyptian Premier League table-toppers will thus be looking to revive their African campaign with a victory in Tshwane, but it will be a tough ask given that they have never beaten Masandawana away from home.
Egypt and Ahly No. 1 El-Shenawy has, however, backed his team to rid themselves of their voodoo against the Brazilians on Saturday.
"I know we have played many times here without winning," the 34-year-old said in their pre-match press conference Soccer Laduma attended.
"Perhaps circumstances such as weather have had a part to play, but what I am sure of is that we are going to fight tomorrow and we are confident it will be the first time we win against Sundowns [in South Africa]."
The 42-time Egypt international also expressed his concern about kicking off at 3pm, but added they will not use the heat as an excuse.
Check Out: Al Ahly Confirm Big Boost For Sundowns Clash
"It [15:00 kick-off] is not a psychological problem but it is obvious in the whole world and in competitions such as the Champions League, nobody plays at 15:00," he continued.
"But it is not something we are going to let affect us. We are going to fight tomorrow and are prepared to win."
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
WATCH VIDEO:
