15:00 Cairo Local Time | 8:00 ET Canada-USA
Venue: Al Nahyan Stadium (Abu Dhabi)
Ahly’s South African boss said before the tournament that he was targeting a “different-coloured medal” after the team had twice finished third in 2006 and 2021.
They stunned Mexico’s Monterrey with a 1-0 win last weekend despite missing a host of regulars who were away on international duty with Egypt at the African Cup of Nations but were given a reality check by South American champions Palmeiras in the semis.
The Brazilian giants beat Ahly 2-0 to avenge last year’s defeat at the hands of the Red Devils in the third-place playoff and set up a final against European champions Chelsea, who laboured to a 1-0 win over Al Hilal.
Al Hilal were unlucky not at least equalise after wasting some good chances in the second half as they gave Chelsea a run for their money.
“Al Hilal played a great game against Chelsea and they were close to equalising the score,” Mosimane told a news conference.
“It will be a big game and I have great respect for Al Hilal, as they are the champions of Saudi Arabia and Asia.
“We respect our opponents, but we have a goal and we are keen to achieve it. Our goal is to win the bronze medal this year.”
A win for Ahly will further boost Mosimane’s chances of agreeing a new deal to prolong his stay at Ahly, with both sides currently in talks to extend his contract.
Since taking charge in October 2020, the 57-year-old has led Ahly to back-to-back African Champions League crowns, an Egypt Cup title and two African Super Cups.
He boasts a proud record in high-profile games, with Ahly only losing to Bayern Munich in the Club World Cup semis last year and to Palmeiras at the ongoing edition in Abu Dhabi.
Al Ahly Lineup
Ahly: Ali Lotfi, Mohamed Hani, Mohamed Abdel-Moneim, Yasser Ibrahim, Ali Maaloul, Hamdi Fathi, Aliou Dieng, Amr El-Sulaya, Taher Mohamed Taher, Ahmed Abdel-Kader, Mohamed Sherif
