The 2020 FIFA Club World Cup gets underway on Thursday with hosts Al-Duhail welcoming Pitso Mosimane's Al Ahly at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, where a showpiece clash against European giants Bayern Munich in the semi-finals will be up for grabs.
Speaking ahead of the encounter, former Bayern defender Benatia revealed that Al-Duhail's goal was to meet the German giants in the next round of the competition but that he and his teammates were fully focussed on beating Mosimane's charges first.
"Facing Bayern Munich is undoubtedly our goal, but our main focus now is on facing Al Ahly on Thursday," the Morocco international told Staddoha. "We have a great desire to win, but at the same time, we know that we will face a strong and fierce team that has high-quality players and a strong mentality.
"I know the mentality of the Egyptian players, and I know that they are fighters, so we must be fully prepared for this strong and difficult confrontation. Al Ahly is a great team that won many titles in Africa, which is not easy, of course, because I know African football very well.
"Football is not about pedigree, it only recognizes your performance on the field. And in one match against Al Ahly, everything is possible. We have a great desire to win and qualify, and we will be ready. We have a great chance to qualify, provided that we produce our best possible football and be ready for the encounter.
"Half of the Bayern players are my friends and facing them will be a very special event for me. But honestly, I only think about the Al Ahly match and the team as a whole thinks about the same thing.
"The opening game is our priority, and as I said we will fight to keep our chances. Our aim is to honour Qatari football in the tournament, and we hope to pass to the next round."