opening ceremony of the 2022 FIFA Club World Cup in Morocco

The 2022 FIFA club world cup  got underway in Tanger ,Morocco  on Wednesday night with 10 times African Champions Al Ahly of Egypt, dispatching Newzealand and Oceania champions, Auckland city  by three goals to nil.

Ahly famously known as Red devils ,started the match slowly allowing Auckland to settle fast and cause trouble but superb defending  of  the African side and  inexperience of their opponents  in their forward line saved the Cairo based team blushes  for the better part of the opening  45 minutes.

However ,3 minutes into the added time of the 1st stanza,  EHussein El Shahat unleashed a fierce a shot from  outside the box ,  connecting Ahmed Abdelkader pass to put the  10 times African champions ahead .

Mohamed Sheriff and Percy Tau  added two goals  2nd half to see Ahly through to the quarter finals ,on Saturday where they will    face Seattle Sounder  from North America .   

Adam Mitchel of Auckland was sent off in the dying minutes of the game  for  tripping offense .  The tournament kicked off with a  colorful opening ceremony with perfomances from various artists who ensured the full packed stadium remained lit .

Part of  opening ceremony of the 2022 FIFA Club World Cup at the Tanger Stdium,Morocco

The tournament takes a  two days break before  resuming on  Saturday 4th February , with  2 matches on card ,host and reigning Africa champions Wydad Casablanca taking on Asian Champions Al Hilal at The Prince Mouley  Abdellah stadium in   Rabat,  in the first quarter final, before Ahly facing off  against Seattle Sounders .

Other teams participating in the   global showpiece are the south American champions Flamengo and Europe champions Real Madrid.