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Al Ahly midfielder Mohamed Afsha says the Egyptian side will “definitely give everything” as they prepare to face European champions Real Madrid in the Club World Cup semi-finals in Morocco on Wednesday.<\/span><\/p>\n Afsha’s 88th minute deflected shot handed the Red Devils a late winner as they edged Seattle Sounders 1-0 on Saturday to set up a tricky tie against the four-time winners.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Competing at an eighth tournament, Al Ahly cruised past New Zealanders Auckland City 3-0 in the only first round tie but are still chasing a first win against European opposition at this level.<\/span><\/p>\n “Real Madrid is the best team in the world and it is my childhood team, but we will give everything we have by playing to win,” said Afsha.<\/span><\/p>\n Africa’s most decorated team, and one of the world’s most successful, Al Ahly are last-four regulars at this tournament.<\/span><\/p>\n The ten-time African champions finished third in 2006, 2020 and 2021 and the Egyptian giants are in the semi-finals for the third consecutive edition, and the fifth time overall.<\/span><\/p>\n After losing out to Bayern Munich in 2020 and Palmeiras in 2021, Ahly are determined to beat Real Madrid to book a spot in the final for the first time, according to forward Mahmoud Kahraba.<\/span><\/p>\n “It will be a difficult match against Real Madrid because we are facing the strongest team in the world, but nothing is impossible,” admitted Kahraba.<\/span><\/p>\n “Anything is possible and we trust in ourselves. All of our players are experienced men full of determination.”<\/span><\/p>\n DR Congo’s TP Mazembe and Raja Casablanca of Morocco have delivered Africa’s best performances at the tournament, finishing runners-up in 2010 and 2013 respectively.<\/span><\/p>\n A starter for Al Ahly in both games in Morocco so far, the Mali midfielder Aliou Dieng is unperturbed by the task ahead against the 14-time European champions.<\/span><\/p>\n “It’s a dream match. If you had told us ‘you’ll play against Real Madrid’, we would’ve have said ‘no you are crazy’, but now it’s a reality, we are going to play Real Madrid,” Dieng told Fifa TV.<\/span><\/p>\n “We are going to enjoy the top level and there’s no pressure. We’ll play the game the way we have to play it. I have to say it’s a dream come true.”<\/span><\/p>\n Saudi Arabian champion Al Hilal and Flamengo of Brazil will battle in the first semi-finals on Tuesday in Tangier.<\/span><\/p>\n It comes after African champions and hosts Wydad Casablanca suffered a 5-3 penalty shootout heartbreak following a 1-1 draw against Al-Hilal in Rabat on Saturday.<\/span><\/p>\n Wydad led through defender Ayoub El Amloud’s header from a deflected corner in the 52nd minute but Mohamed Kanno equalised with a penalty in the 93rd minute after Yahya Jabrane handled the ball and was sent off.<\/span><\/p>\n Musab Al Juwayr converted the winning penalty after Morocco World Cup full back Yahya Attiat-Allah had missed the first kick for the hosts.<\/span><\/p>\n The elimination of the African champions is a major blow to the Moroccan organisers, hoping for more international success soon after their national team reached the World Cup semi-final in Qatar in December.<\/span><\/p>\n Back in August 2001, Nigerian forward Sunday Ibeji scored the lone goal as African Club of the Century, Al Ahly, defeated Uefa Club of the Century, Real Madrid, 1-0 in a friendly in Cairo. <\/span><\/p>\n“A dream match”<\/h3>\n