Bafana Bafana star player Percy Tau and his club, Al Ahly failed to reach the final of the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup after losing 2-0 to Brazilian side Fluminense on Monday night.
Percy Tau was on parade as the Egyptians fluffed chance after chance in a match they dominated. The former Mamelodi Sundowns star was substituted in the 75th minute. He was replaced by Akram Tawfiq who hardly made an impact.
And considering how Al Ahly has performed versus South American teams over the years, it was largely expected that they would beat Fluminense in this semi-final.
AL AHLY FAIL TO REACH CLUB WORLD CUP FINAL AGAIN
In fact, a win would have helped them earn a place in the final. They would have faced the winner between Manchester City and Urawa Reds of Japan.
Manchester City and the Japanese giants Urawa Reds are slated to face off in the other semi-final match on Tuesday.
Sadly, it was not to be for the Marcel Kohler-coached side who crumbled like a deck of cards in the second half to lose 2-0.
The two sides could not be separated in the first half, as they both gallantly guarded their goals.
Al Ahly were slow to move off the blocks as they avoided being caught on the counter by the Brazilian.
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However, they conceded a penalty in the 71st minute. It was converted by Jhon Adolfo Arias Andrade, thrusting the Brazil Série A club ahead.
John Kennedy doubled Fluminense’s lead in the 90th minute to book a place in the final. Prior to this semi-final clash, Al Ahly made light work of the star-studded Al Ittihad, beating them 3-1.
And they had high hopes of making it to the final. Ahly are the second team with the most appearances in this tournament but are yet to reach the final.
In the previous appearance where they were under Pitso Mosimane, they settled for the bronze medal after defeating Palmeiras 3-2 on penalties.