Raja Casablanca coach Marc Robert Wilmots
Doha: Belgian Marc Robert Wilmots, coach of the Moroccan giants Raja Casablanca has admitted the difficulty of the task awaiting his team when they face African Champions League winners Al Ahly of Egypt in the CAF Super Cup final tomorrow in Doha.
Ahead of the title clash to be held at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Wilmots said: “We are aware of the difficulty of the task, and we appreciate the strength of the opponent, who have a history full of championship titles. But we are not afraid of them, and we have come to Doha for one goal, which is to take the Cup back to Casablanca, as Raja used to in all the finals they have fought.”
He continued: “These type of matches are decided by some small details, including good psychological preparation. So we try as much as possible to avoid pressure and maintain our calm.”
Wilmots took over as the head of the technical staff of Raja Casablanca last month and has been involved with the team in only three matches of the Moroccan League. His appearance in the CAF Super Cup will be the first time with the Moroccan team.
Raja Casablanca will enter the continental match as champions of Confederation Cup, against Al Ahly - holders of African Champions League title the last two editions.
Meanwhile, Al Ahly centre-back, Rami Rabia, has said that the team is fully prepared and focused ahead of the final.
Following a remarkable start to the season, which saw Al Ahly sit top of their domestic League with a perfect record, the club decided to organise two friendlies in preparations for the game.
Their first game saw them draw 1-1 with El Gaish, before hosting Smouha, who they had beaten 4-1 in their last official game before the Egyptian Premier League was put on pause due to the FIFA Arab Cup.
Rabia understands the difficulty of the challenge ahead of them but says they are prepared for the clash.
“It will be a difficult match because Raja is a strong team with a great history in African competitions. But we are very focused on the match,” he told Al Ahly’s media.
“Having the Al Ahly fans in the stands will motivate the players. The team seeks to win all the trophies in order to make them happy,” he added.
