AFRICAN CHAMPIONS FOR SHREWSBURY TOURNAMENT
Continuing their efforts to bring special teams to The Shrewsbury International Soccer Tournament, Soccer Destinations today announced that current African champions, Al Ahly, will be bringing two teams to this summer’s event at the Shrewsbury Sports Village (2 – 7 August).
Al Ahly is the leading Egyptian football club based in Cairo. Founded in April 107, Al Ahly, which means “national” in Arabic, is the most crowned club in Egypt, having won the Egyptian League thirty-three times and the Egyptian Club thirty-five times. Al Ahly was named the African Club of the Century in 2000 by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and they won the African Cup of Champion’s Clubs in 1982 and 1987 before it was renamed the CAF Champion’s League, which they have won a further four times and of which they are the current holders.
Every Egyptian youngster wants to play for Al Ahly. This year they will give trials to a staggering 25,000 children. They recruit from age 9 and the Club looks after every need of those selected.
Al Ahly’s presence will be a particular pleasure for Shrewsbury Tournament President Mike Smith* who managed the Egyptian national side for three successful years.
Al Ahly will play in both the Elite under 17 competitions and The English Cup at that age. A second side is likely to be their under 13 team. Recognised as supreme in Africa they are coming to gain experience and will meet a wide variety of teams.
In the Elite tournament Al Ahly will join Premier League teams Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City, Mexicans, Peruvians and Shrewsbury Town.
