Ahead of their third consecutive CAF Champions League final appearance, Al Ahly captain Mohamed El Shenawy has sent opponents Wydad Casablanca a message as Monday's competition decider looms.
Both teams forged their path to the tournament's final in emphatic fashion, with Pitso Mosimane's men thumping ES Setif 6-2 in the semi-finals to secure their spot, while Wydad managed to beat Angolan side Petro de Luanda 4-2 on aggregate to also book their place in the decider.
The game will be a replay of the 2017 final and, on that occasion, it was the Botola Pro leaders who came out as victors after they beat the Red Devils 2-1 over two legs to secure only their second-ever premier continental trophy.
Since then, though, the Egyptians have gone on to dominate African football by winning Africa's most prestigious club competition in 2020 and 2021, and on Monday, they will be looking to become the first side ever to win it three times in a row.
It will not be an easy task for the reigning champions given that the final will be contested at the home of the Moroccan side after CAF made the controversial decision to host the match at the Stade Mohammed V.
However, Al Ahly skipper El Shenawy says they will be prepared despite the circumstances.
"We are happy to reach the Champions League final and we will give everything we have to win.
"All our focus is training and working on the pitch, and we hope that large numbers of Al Ahly fans will attend because we know their value and we want to make them happy by winning the title.
"We beat Wydad in the past, both in front of a large crowd and behind closed doors. Al Ahly can play anywhere and against anyone. We study all the teams we play against well and we are focused on winning the game."
