Al Ahly train in Abu Dhabi ahead of Fifa Club World Cup clash with Monterrey - in pictures

African champions set for record seventh appearance in the tournament

Al Ahly train ahead of the game against Monterrey in the Fifa Club World Cup UAE 2021 at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi. All Photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National

Al Ahly's Yasser Ibrahim during training ahead of the game against Monterrey in the Fifa Club World Cup UAE 2021 at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Al Ahly train ahead of the game against Monterrey in the Fifa Club World Cup UAE 2021 at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Al Ahly train ahead of the game against Monterrey in the Fifa Club World Cup UAE 2021 at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Al Ahly train ahead of the game against Monterrey in the Fifa Club World Cup UAE 2021 at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Al Ahly train ahead of the game against Monterrey in the Fifa Club World Cup UAE 2021 at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Al Ahly's Ali Lotfi trains ahead of the game against Monterrey in the Fifa Club World Cup UAE 2021 at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Al Ahly train ahead of the game against Monterrey in the Fifa Club World Cup UAE 2021 at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Al Ahly train ahead of the game against Monterrey in the Fifa Club World Cup UAE 2021 at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Al Ahly's Taher Mohamed trains ahead of the game against Monterrey in the Fifa Club World Cup UAE 2021 at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Al Ahly's Mostafa Shobeir trains ahead of the game against Monterrey in the Fifa Club World Cup UAE 2021 at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Al Ahly's Ahmed Abdelkader trains ahead of the game against Monterrey in the Fifa Club World Cup UAE 2021 at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Al Ahly's Hussein El Shahat shares a joke with Yasser Ibrahim (L) during training ahead of the game against Monterrey in the Fifa Club World Cup UAE 2021 at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Al Ahly train ahead of the game against Monterrey in the Fifa Club World Cup UAE 2021 at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Al Ahly's Walid Soliman trains ahead of the game against Monterrey in the Fifa Club World Cup UAE 2021 at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Al Ahly train ahead of the game against Monterrey in the Fifa Club World Cup UAE 2021 at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Al Ahly get their Fifa Club World Cup campaign under way on Saturday evening when the African champions take on Concacaf Champions League holders Monterrey in Abu Dhabi.

The Egyptian giants booked their place in the tournament by winning their 10th CAF Champions League title with a 3-0 win over South Africa's Kaizer Chiefs in the final last July.

Al Ahly are set for a seventh Club World Cup appearance, a record for an African club, while Monterrey lead the way for Concacaf representatives with their fifth campaign.

Pitso Mosimane's side will be aiming to improve further on last year's impressive showing when Al Ahly claimed the bronze medal after defeating South American champions Palmeiras on penalties in the third place playoff.

A rematch with Palmeiras awaits Al Ahly in the semi-final if they can get past Monterrey on Saturday, and the squad prepared for the match against the Mexican side by training at Al Nahyan Stadium.

However, Mosimane was conspicuous by his absence as the Ahly coach is currently isolating after testing positive for Covid-19 shortly after arriving in Abu Dhabi.

The National photographer Chris Whiteoak attended the training session and you can see his photos inn the gallery above. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.