Al Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane has bemoaned the discrimination against African teams at the Club World Cup.
The South African finds it difficult to understand why South American champions Palmeiras are starting the 2021 edition from the semifinals while the African champions started from the quarterfinals.
Al Ahly defeated Palmeiras in the third place playoff game last year to finish third.
Speaking ahead of today’s semifinal clash in Abu Dhabi, Mosimane is requesting Al Ahly start from semis in the next Club World Cup if they beat Palmeiras again today.
The Egyptian giants won 1-0 against Monterrey on Sunday with many of their key players at the Africa Cup of Nations with Egypt while others were injured.
“Palmeiras have the biggest advantage than Al Ahly because they’re fresh. When was the last time Palmeiras played football? They’ve been here for the last three days. We were here running, injuries, fighting until the end.
“That is why sometimes I think they have an advantage as South Americans to Africans because they tend to play semifinals, then to the finals. Imagine, we should be in the final now.
“They have an advantage, life is good. We are Africans, we are struggling my friend. In Sha Allah, Alhamdulillah, we will make it.
“Maybe, if we win, you guys should be talking to Fifa. What is this? What is the point now? What are you trying to say? If they can lose to the Africans two times, they should play first and we should play last.”
Source: Sportyafrica.com
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