Egyptian defender Ahmed Hijazi prepares for his first match with Saudi Arabia’s Champions Al-itthad in nearly 6 months when facing Iran’s Spahan in the AFL on Monday.
Hijazi, 32, returned to Al-itthad training last month after recovering from a knee cruciate ligament cut in the penultimate round of the Saudi League last season, increasing his chances of participating in the Club World Cup, which kicks off after nine days in Jeddah.
Hijazi played a pivotal role in the league title last season, after a 14-year absence, when the Brigadier General, led by the strongest defence in the competition, conceded 13 goals in 30 games and lost only twice.
Argentina’s Marcelo Gaiardo told a press conference next to Hijazi on Sunday that Fiorentina’s former Italian defender and England’s West Bromwich Albion would “take part between 45 and 60 minutes” against Spahan, after securing qualification for the Champions League round of 16.
The al-itthad defence was influenced by the absence of Hegazi, as well as his team-mate Ahmed Sharahili, who suffered the same injury, conceding 15 goals in 15 league games, falling to fourth place, 13 points behind the leading Al-hilal, and the poor results caused the dismissal of Portuguese coach Nuno Espirito Santo last month.
Hijazi, who held the captaincy before French striker Karim Benzema joined, added: “The happiest moment for a footballer when he plays. I am very happy to be back, and I have worked to recover and prepare very strongly with the club doctor, and I hope that things will go well. “
He continued: “The history of the Al-itthad only accepts victory, and we wish to seal the lead, Monday”; Al-itthad is two points ahead of Iran’s hosts before the final round and then shifts its focus to face New Zealand’s Auckland City in the opening of the 12 Club World Cup this month.
Group leaders are directly eligible for the round of 16 with the top 3 teams in second place of 5 groups in the West Asian region, and the same system applies to the East region.
Hijazi is looking forward to returning to Egypt, which is preparing to compete in the Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire in early 2024 after losing the final twice in 2017 and 2022.
