El Solia: Al Ahly experienced in such circumstances

by Staff Reporter

Saturday Jun 10, 2023. 11:57

Al Ahly midfielder Amr El Solia believes their vast experience in the CAF Champions League will see them through against Wydad Casablanca in the second leg of the final on Sunday.

Marcel Koller’s side have a slight advantage going into the crunch clash at the Mohammed V Stadium after goals from Percy Tau and Kahraba secured a 2-1 victory in the first leg on home soil last weekend.

The Red Eagles lost 2-0 to Wydad at the same venue last season to relinquish the title in front of a jam-packed Casablanca crowd and they can expect to face a similar scenario 12 months on.

However, El Solia is confident that his team can finally get the better of the Red Castle at this stage of the competition, having also suffered heartbreak in the 2017 final.

“We know that Wydad players will do their best, especially as they play at home and among their fans, but we have prepared well for this encounter after the end of the first leg in Cairo,” the 33-year-old said.

“We all know very well how strong is Wydad, and that they are a great team; anything can happen in football. All the players are used to playing in such circumstances, and we are working very hard to win the title.”

Anything but a 1-0 defeat for Al Ahly will see them crowned champions for a record 11th time, while Wydad are bidding to become only the fifth club to win back-to-back titles.