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Strong Arab clashes and Egyptian Al-Ahly will try to retain their title

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Strong Arab clashes and Egyptian Al-Ahly will try to retain their title

Defending champions Al-Ahly of Egypt have been drawn alongside Algeria’s CS Belouistad, Young Africans of Tanzania and Ghana’s Mediama in the group stage draw of the African Champions League for the 2023-2024 season. While Wydad Casablanca will be looking for their fourth continental title, their shaky start to the season will make them reconsider their ninth consecutive appearance in the group stage, a feat which is a feat. The first round of group stage matches will be held on November 24-25, and the round ends on March 3, 2024.

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Looks like the 2023-2024 season edition African Champions League It will witness tough Arab clashes, with Egypt’s Al-Ahly in particular looking for their record twelfth title, and newcomers Egypt’s Pyramids and Mauritania’s Noutibo a tough task, according to the draw for the group stage of the tournament. Friday in Johannesburg.

The draw pits defending champions Al-Ahly, Algeria’s CS Belouistad, Tanzania’s Young Africans, last season’s runners-up in the Federation Cup, and Ghana’s Mediama.

Al-Ahli, who will compete in the Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia later this year, include an experienced squad including German Borussia Dortmund veteran French striker Anthony Modeste and Moroccan striker Reda Slim, as well as international goalkeeper Mohamed El. -Shenawi, Tunisian full-back Ali Maloul, South African striker Percy Dow, and Hussein El-Shahad. , Mohammad Magdi (Afsha) Mahmoud Abdel Monim (Gahraba).

After dominating the Algerian league in recent years, Belouistad will be hoping to capitalize on Al-Ahly’s long season to achieve continental success.

For this, he relies on the experience of his Belgian coach Sven Vandenbrouck and his veteran players Shuaib Ghadat, goalkeeper Alexis Kunduz and Osama Darflo.

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The young Africans will be hoping to ensure the growth of Tanzanian football and take advantage of the three matches played at home and among its fans. While Mteema is unknown, Horia’s exclusion of Conakry has the potential to spring surprises.

difficulties and ambitions

While the Pyramids are in the first round like Ntibo, they will struggle to overcome South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns, who are looking for their second title since 2016, and Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo, who are looking for a sixth continental title. And since 2015, in the first group.

The Egyptian club, led by Portuguese Africa specialist Jaime Pacheco, bolstered its squad with Democratic Congolese Fiston Mayel, Nigerian Tolulob Samuel Ojo and South African Varki Leke in addition to Moroccan veteran Walid El Karthy.

Sundowns are retaining most of their staff and coach Rolany Mokona as their squad will be led by Uruguayan Gaston Serino, Moroccan Abdel Monim Boudoille, Argentine Junior Mendieta and Brazilian Lucas.

Despite their decline in recent years, Mazembe remain one of the toughest teams, especially at home in Lubumbashi.

Nautibu is enjoying continental competition for the first time in its history as it is led by Spanish coach Aredes Lopes Garay and features veteran striker Moulay Ahmed Bassam in its squad.

Nouadhibou qualified at the expense of Real Bamako, who after beating them 3-0 at home, drew 1-1 at Nouakchott.

Vaidat is a balanced group

The second group, which includes runners-up Waitat Athletic Club of Morocco, is drawn with Tanzania’s Simba, Ivory Coast’s ASEC Mimosas and Botswana’s Kwaneng Galaxy.

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Things look within reach for Casablanca’s quest for a fourth continental title on paper, but its shaky start to the season will see it review its ninth consecutive presence in the group stage, a feat which is a feat in itself.

Coach Rashid Ramsey’s squad includes internationals Yahya Attiya Allah, Ayoub Al-Amloud and captain Yahya Gibran, but despite Senegal’s top goalscorer Pauly Sambo Jr., it still suffers at the attacking level.

Simba will be looking to make a mark in the tournament after enjoying its presence in the first rounds, while Guanying Galaxy will be participating for the second time and will hope to not be easy prey.

Acek Mimosa, who will host the Africa Cup of Nations early next year, hopes to regain his glory in the tournament he won in 1998.

A Tunisian classic

The all-Tunisian clash resulted in a draw between Esperance, seeking a fifth title since 2019, and Etoile du Sahel, who return to the 2007 title-winning competition, with Angola’s Atletico de Luanda and Al Hilal in Group Three. Sudan.

Bob Suika’s team is in a difficult phase after the resignation of its coach Moin Chabani and his assistant Magdi Droui, but it is still one of the most valuable teams in the competition.

He supported his ranks with Brazilians such as Gilan Salali and Mohamed Ali Ben Hamouda, John Chas, Rodrigo Rodriguez, Nigerian Yusuf Omaru, Nigerian Onochie Okbelo and Algerian Hamza Gesha.

As for Etoile, who reclaimed the local league title last season, under coach Imad Ben Younes, they will be looking to repeat the success that saw them overcome the barrier of the Royal Moroccan Army in the second round.

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Sudan Crescent will hope that its players, especially those led by Mohamed Abdel-Rahman (Karbal), will not be affected by the conditions in their country and will be forced to play away from the “Blue Gem” ground to qualify for the knockouts. Rounds.

Atlético de Luanda, led by its top-scoring Brazilian Thiago Azulao, is a strong candidate to reach the advanced stages.

The first round of the group stage will be held on November 24 and 25, the quarter-finals on March 29 and 30 and April 5 and 6, the semi-finals on April 19, 20, 26 and 27, and the final on May 19 and 26, 2024. .

France 24/AFP

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Al-Ittihad News Today | A “very strange” decision by Gallardo ahead of Sepahan and the team’s star engagement with Karim Benzema

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Al-Ittihad News Today |  A “very strange” decision by Gallardo ahead of Sepahan and the team’s star engagement with Karim Benzema

Today, Saturday, December 2, 2023, we bring you the most important news from the Union

Shahid

The Arabic version of “GOAL” website today, Saturday, December 2023 AD second, tracks the most important news about the Saudi Federation and what is happening around the team.

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A strange decision before facing Sebahan

Marcelo Gallardo of Argentina decided; Al-Ittihad’s technical director today rested the team’s players from training, 48 hours before they face Iran’s Sebahan Isfahan in the final round of the AFC Champions League group stage tomorrow, Monday.

The rest of the players are coming in light of the fact that the Asian tournament is a foregone conclusion as Dean has already decided to qualify for the next round from the fifth round.

But with the Tigers currently leading the pack with 12 points and Sepahan second with 10 points, it is strange that this is not an achievement in deciding the top spot in the group.

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New sponsorship deal

Today, Al-Ittihad is expected to sign a new sponsorship deal with Tatweer Al-Balad at the company’s headquarters in historic Jeddah.

The company is owned by the Public Investment Fund, which acquired 75% of the Al-Jedawi Club as part of the privatization of the Big Quartet.

The deal is the fifth sponsor of the federation in the current season after Roshan, Saif Security, NOAA and SRC.

The truth about Faisal Al-Khamdi’s involvement in Karim Benzema’s injury after Al-Ittihad blamed the star…

In the past few hours, fingers have been pointed at Al-Ittihad Al-Shabaab club midfielder Faisal Al-Khamdi for an injury to his teammate, top French striker Karim Benzema. (see details)

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Will the confederation bar him from the World Cup? .. revealing Karim Benzema’s absence in stadiums

One of the Saudi federation’s primary goals is to include French striker Karim Benzema in the 2023 Saudi Club World Cup, and while he has been tempted to accept the offer, he seems to be adding to the world. The file is suspect. (see details)

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Real Madrid will be looking to regain top spot in the Spanish league against Granada

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Real Madrid will be looking to regain top spot in the Spanish league against Granada


Written by Rami Abdel Hamid

Saturday, December 2, 2023 10:53 AM

Leads a team Spanish Real Madrid Its rival Granada, this Saturday at 7:30 p.m., at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium, in a match that will bring them together in the 15th round of the Spanish League competitions.

Real Madrid is on top of the Spanish league table with 35 points and Granada is in nineteenth place with 7 points.

These days, Real Madrid are in high spirits after the team’s impressive results in recent times, with goalkeeper Kepa Arethabalaga returning from injury and Frenchman Aurelian Souwamini taking part in recent training sessions.

Girona is second in the Spanish league table with 35 points from 11 wins, 2 draws, one loss, 12 goals and 17 conceded.

Real Madrid are at the top of the Champions League Group C table with 15 points after winning 5 matches, scoring 13 goals and conceding 3 goals.

The team was coached by Italian Carlo Ancelotti Real Madrid The Spaniard confirmed the availability of England international Jude Bellingham to face Granada: “Bellingham will be ready to play. He has no problem. He had a bit of discomfort in the ankle, which we wanted to avoid. Whatever the contact, he will be fine tomorrow.”

He said of goalkeeper Keba Arrizabalaga, “He’s there. Lunin will play tomorrow and we’ll have a week to think about who will play against Betis.”

Regarding injuries in the team, Ancelotti said, “It’s a general problem, not just ours. Players are out in every match, the schedule is tight. We have to endure, but as I said, injuries are also opportunities for other players, those who have played less minutes.”

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And, “Who knows if fatigue and injuries will come in January or February? Anything can happen in football, you can’t plan for it. We know it’s coming, it’s important to prepare.”

He continued, “Bellingham has a lot of respect in the team, not only for the goals he scores, but also for the work he does. I’ve never seen Di Stefano play. In the previous press conference, I compared him to Zidane. Well, I’m in awe of him. I want to say.” “It’s the first time I’ve seen Kaka. He looks like him and has Kaka stuff.”

Real Madrid are the only team to progress beyond the group stage of the Champions League with a 100% record in 32 of their 32 appearances.



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No need for temporary evacuation… Just follow the rules

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No need for temporary evacuation… Just follow the rules

Soccer fans await the track for Germany’s June 14-July 14 European Cup finals, scheduled for Saturday in Hamburg, Germany’s second-largest city.

The event marks the start of the countdown to the 20 teams that have qualified so far, with hosts Germany, and 3 additional teams joining them in the qualifiers for the finals next March.

Teams were drawn in 4 stages, with the first stage comprising Germany (host), Portugal, France, Spain, Belgium and England. The second tier includes Hungary, Turkey, Romania, Denmark, Albania and Austria. Netherlands, Scotland, Croatia, Slovenia, Slovakia and Czech Republic in the third level and Italy, Serbia and Switzerland in the fourth level after winning the first playoff match. Second playoff and third playoff winner.

France, the runners-up at the last World Cup, and England, the second-to-last edition of the continental championship, are among the main contenders for the title, given the high level both teams have shown in recent times. And first-class stars Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann and Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham were first.

Pressure will be high on coach Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions after reaching the finals for the first time in their history in 2021 and losing to Italy on penalties in the final at Wembley Stadium in London.

Southgate, who led England to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, touched on the pressure his side face to win their first major title since their country hosted the 1966 World Cup, saying: “I think we have to accept it. (The pressure).”

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He added: “The pressure comes when expectations differ from reality and the reality is that we will be one of the teams that can win.”

On the other hand, Germany, without a title since the 1996 edition in England, are in crisis after losing 6 of their 11 matches at last year’s World Cup after their second consecutive group stage exit.

These results cost Hansi Flick his position as Die Mannschaft’s chief of technical staff, but did not improve under new coach Julian Nagelsmann, who suffered two defeats in 4 matches compared to one win and a draw.

“We have a lot of work to do in every position,” Nagelsmann told local media after the recent 0-2 defeat in Austria.

As always, there are dangerous teams not in first place, notably the Netherlands, who won the title in 1988 in Germany, in third place, and Italy, the defending champions, in fourth place.

Italy, who failed to qualify for the World Cup in the last two editions, managed to qualify this time after a tough goalless draw with Ukraine in their last match.

The first-tier teams, of course, hope to avoid relegation with these two teams, although the structure of the next tournament reduces the risk of early exit for the big teams, as the first and second teams in each of the six groups reach. In the second round, except for the top 4 teams who finished third.

“After all the difficulties we have faced, we will be in Germany, we will go there as champions, we will win there,” Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma said after the draw with Ukraine.

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The host nation’s position represents a real concern and threatens Germany’s hope that the tournament will become another “summer fairy tale”, which is how the country remembers the 2006 World Cup finals.

However, football fans across the continent are eager to capitalize on the return to the classic format of a continental championship held in one country after the last tournament was held in 11 different countries across the continent.

The latest edition was marred by restrictions on travel and attendance due to the “Covid” pandemic.

Fans will flock to ten host cities across the country, from the capital Berlin and Hamburg in the north, to Munich in the south and Dortmund in the heart of the Ruhr industrial region.

Germany will play their opening match in Munich on June 14, while the 70,000-capacity Olympic Stadium in Berlin will host the final on July 14.

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