Ahmed El Fadly, Egypt’s Ambassador to South Africa, stated that Al Ahly and Mamelodi Sundowns are two big clubs and their game is considered as an early final for the CAF Champions League. 

“Al Ahly is the only club that represents Egypt in the African competition and this adds more responsibility on the players to please the fans.”

“The coordination between the embassy and Al Ahly’s officials began after the CAF Champions League quarter-finals draw. We were keen to arrange everything for Al Ahly’s delegation ahead of their trip to Pretoria.”

“The fans will not attend the game due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the game will be held amid strict preventive measures.”

“The temperature here in South Africa is one of the reasons behind scheduling the game at 3:00 PM instead of 9:00 PM, as it reaches to 22°C in the morning and 6 °C at night.”

“Al Ahly players are fully focused on the game and this was obvious during their training sessions. This should be a cause for optimism ahead of Saturday’s game.” 

“The love and interest in football, regardless of the game’s outcome, is the most important thing for the Egyptian and South African peoples. The sports bring peoples closer, besides that, we have to elevate the sport’s role, as it the mean of the rapprochement between different peoples.”

“The South African press spoke a lot about Al Ahly’s victory in the first leg, and they all aim that Sundowns will be able to pull a comeback in the second leg.”