Ahmed Mido: Former Tottenham Star Backs Al Ahly to Beat Benzema's Al Ittihad in Club World Cup Clash

• Al-Ittihad will face Egypt's Al Ahly in the Club World Cup on Friday
• The Saudi Arabian giants started the competition with a victory over Auckland City
• Former Tottenham forward Ahmed Mido is looking forward to an upset

Egypt legend Ahmed Hossam Mido has tipped African champions Al Ahly to beat mega-rich Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad in the Club World Cup second-round clash on Friday.

The Egyptian giants go into the game as the less-fancied side following the major acquisitions by Al-Ittihad in the summer transfer window.

The Saudi Arabian outfit added UEFA Champions League winners N'Golo Kante, Fabinho and former Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema to their squad before the start of the season.

The experience of the three players came to the fore as they thrashed Auckland City in the first round, with Benzema and Kante on the scoresheet.

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Despite being favourites for Friday night's game, Mido believes Al Ahly has the quality to upset Al-Ittihad.

“I think Al Ahly will make it through,” Mido told ON Time Sports, as quoted by King Fut. “The criticism that Marcel Koller is getting is unfair.

“Their participation in the African Football League at the start of the season hurt the team and forced the manager to constantly rotate players.”

The 11 time African champions have been regular contenders at the tournament, coming close after finishing third in 2022 under the leadership of South African gaffer Pitso Mosimane, as reported by Diario AS.

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Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Karim Benzema became the first player to score at four FIFA Club World Cups after netting in Al-Ittihad's clash against Aukland City.

Serving as the curtain-raiser for this prestigious tournament, the atmosphere at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium was electrifying, with a record-breaking crowd of 50,248 spectators for the opening game of any Club World Cup.

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The football on display lived up to the hype, as Al-Ittihad wasted little time stating their intent on the night. Goals from Romarinho Silva, Ngolo Kante, and Karim Benzema within the first 30 minutes ensured Marcelo Gallardo's team had complete control of the encounter.