Club World Cup a opener a tough ask for former Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro as he faces Argentina and FC Barcelona legend in Al Ahly versus Inter Miami clash - 'I don't think it is possible to prepare to face Messi'

Al Ahly have the privilege of dining with 31 other teams in the Fifa Club World Cup that will be played from June 14 to July 13.

Premier Soccer League champions Mamelodi Sundowns, Esperance, and Wydad Athletic Club will also represent Africa in the United States.

The Red Devils, who are under the former Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro, have been placed in Group A alongside Palmeiras, Inter Miami and Porto.

The former Caf Champions League winners will open their campaign on Saturday, June 14, against Lionel Messi's Inter Miami at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida.

The Argentina legend is one of the best players in the world who, on his day, is unstoppable.

Riveiro knows a massive task at hand, explaining why he insists the ball supply to the former Barcelona star must be cut.

"I don't think it's possible to prepare to face Messi," he opened up to the media.

"You just have to try to be disciplined in front of him. There will be moments when we need to be more in control of the ball, even before the ball reaches Messi.

"Once the ball reaches Messi, he'll be as usual," Riveiro added.

"A player who requires special marking, and I think he's been used to that kind of marking throughout his career, but he's part of a good collective team, with a good coach, so we'll be ready, we'll be well prepared, and we'll see what happens," he concluded.

It will be important for coach Riveiro to have a decent outing in the Club World Cup, since that might determine the reception he will have from the notoriously fickle fans of the Egyptian giants.

However, it will be tough to get out of the pool owing to the calibre of the teams and the quality of their players.