Thursday, July 16, 2026

FIFA Club World Cup: Egyptian giants Al Ahly win bronze medal

“The players’ spirit and determination to please our fans are the secrets behind the bronze medal,” added El Shenawy.

• February 12, 2021

Egypt’s Al Ahly equalled their best-ever finish at the FIFA Club World Cup when they defeated South American champions, Palmeiras, after their third-place play-off ended goalless on Thursday in Qatar.

Egyptian Captain and goalkeeper, Mohamed El Shenawy, was Al Ahly’s hero in the shootout, saving Felipe Melo’s penalty to ensure that the African champions won 3-2 in Qatar.

El Shenawy had earlier saved Rony’s tame effort while Luiz Adriano missed the target, with Ahly also missing through Amr El-Sulaya and Marwan Mohsen.

Junior Ajayi thought he had made the breakthrough in the second half only for his goal to be narrowly ruled out for offside, while El-Sulaya could have done better with a first-half effort dragged wide.

There was no extra-time at the end of the game, meaning the match went straight to penalties.

“From the start of the tournament, we all promised that every player will give his maximum effort in order to achieve a good position,” El Shenawy said after the game.

“Thankfully, all our efforts paid off and we managed to win the bronze medal.”

“We had a great game and we fought very hard to win the bronze medal. Our coaching staff analysed Palmeiras very well. Every player in the team only focuses on doing what is best for the whole team. Everyone fought very hard to win the bronze medal.”

Al Ahly, who performed creditably in their semi-final against Germany’s Bayern Munich to earn widespread praise, enjoyed great support from the stands, thanks to Egypt’s sizeable expatriate community in Qatar.

“The players’ spirit and determination to please our fans are the secrets behind the bronze medal,” added El Shenawy.

The record nine-time African champions’ previous best performance at the Club World Cup came in 2006 when they also finished third.

Al Ahly’s display is Africa’s best at the tournament since 2013 when Morocco’s Raja Casablanca – one of only two teams from the continent to finish runners-up, along with DR Congo’s TP Mazembe in 2010 – reached the final on home soil.

Later in the day, a 59th-minute Benjamin Pavard goal earned dominant FC Bayern München a 1-0 victory over Tigres UANL of Mexico in the final and their second FIFA Club World Cup™ triumph.

It also completed a magnificent outing for the Bavarian behemoths, imitating Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona’s achievement in 2009/10.

(PANA/NAN)

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

APC LOGO

NationWide

Court orders parties to maintain status quo in Benue APC leadership suit

The Counsel to INEC, Oluwole Olukunle, however, said the commission had responded to the processes filed by the plaintiff.

Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS)

NationWide

Farmers say insecurity, flooding responsible for June food inflation 

Mr Oke commended the federal government’s efforts to improve food security and moderate inflation.

Kogi and Nasarawa states.

States

Stakeholders link illegal mining to security challenges in Kogi, Nasarawa

Mr Oyiguh said, “The health and well-being of residents should take precedence over the economic interests of government or private operators.”

Ex-FUOYE VC Abayomi Adesina

NationWide

Senate confirms ex-FUOYE VC, Fasina, as non-career ambassador

Mr Oshiomhole (APC-Edo North) opposed the former vice-chancellor’s immediate confirmation, citing sexual allegations against him.

illegal migrants

Lagos

Troops raid Lagos building, nab 24 illegal migrants

Mr Yahaya stated that during the operation, 24 foreign nationals comprising 15 males and nine females were apprehended.