Al Ahly captain Mohamed El-Shenawy is anticipating a difficult clash against Mamelodi Sundowns but expects his team to be up for the task.
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The Red Devils face Masandawana in Cairo on Friday evening in a winner-takes-all second-leg clash after a 0-0 draw in Pretoria in the first leg.
Speaking ahead of the crucial game, the goalkeeper acknowledged that the Red Giant had a difficult game ahead, Egyptian publication Yallakora reported.
"We certainly know the match will be difficult and we are preparing well for it," the Egyptian goalkeeper said. "The players are focused, especially since Sundowns came with great focus on the match," he added.
El-Shenawy said it was important not to let Sundowns score, adding that the players were focused on their only goal of qualifying for the final.
"God willing, Sundowns will not score against us," the club captain said.
"All the players are fully focused. We prepared well and we will play in front of our fans. We have one goal, which is to qualify for the final," he added.
El-Shenawy acknowledged Sundowns' strength but reminded fans that Al Ahly are the defending champions.
"We know that we will face a strong team, but we are also the African champions and a strong team," El-Shenawy said. "Everyone knows who Al Ahly is."
The Red Devils captain said the team's overall goal was to make a sixth Champions League final and become the first team to win three in a row.
"It's certainly important to us to win the title for the third consecutive time and qualify for the final for the sixth time in a row," he said.
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"No team in Africa has achieved that. As for the current generation, it's certainly our goal, and we've talked about it recently. Our focus now is only on achieving victory and advancing."
