Al-Ahli's first football team is preparing for a tough and risky test when they face Al-Fateh in the Saudi Professional League. This match comes at a very critical time for the "Royal" team, as the coaching staff finds itself in a real tactical dilemma due to the absence of several key players, threatening the stability of the lineup and the team's ambitions in the competition.
Mass absences hit the core of the team
Al Ahly suffered a major blow with the confirmed absence of four key players from the upcoming match. The most notable absences are those of three African professionals: veteran Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, Algerian playmaker Riyad Mahrez, and Ivorian midfield maestro Franck Kessié. The trio's absence is due to their official call-ups to represent their national teams in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, hosted by Morocco. This continental tournament requires clubs to release their international players according to FIFA's international match calendar.
The difficulties did not stop at international absences, but extended to include local absences, as the team will be without the services of player Ziyad Al-Juhani due to suspension, after he received a red card in the last round, which reduces the available options in the midfield and increases the burden placed on the substitutes' bench.
Star power and Roshan League challenges
These absences are significant due to the technical prowess of these players. Riyad Mahrez is the team's primary attacking force thanks to his decisive passes and individual skills, while Franck Kessié forms the midfield's defensive line and connects the lines, and Édouard Mendy provides security for the back line. This situation reflects the challenges faced by major Saudi clubs after acquiring a host of world-class stars, as the team becomes directly vulnerable during international breaks and major continental tournaments such as the Africa Cup of Nations or the Asian Cup.
The team's position in the standings
Al-Ahli enters this match in fourth place in the Saudi Professional League standings with 19 points. The game is crucial for the Jeddah-based team, who are striving to overcome their numerical disadvantage and secure a victory to remain in contention for Asian Champions League qualification and close the gap on the league leaders. Meanwhile, Al-Fateh will be looking to capitalize on these circumstances to achieve a positive result, making the match wide open and a true test of Al-Ahli's squad depth and the ability of their substitutes to compensate for the absence of key players.
