The fate of Al-Hilal's duo amidst the challenges of the African Cup
Al-Hilal fans are anxiously awaiting the January transfer window, not only for potential signings but also for a crucial decision regarding two of the team's key players: Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou and Senegalese defender Kalidou Koulibaly. These questions arise given their upcoming participation with their respective national teams in the Africa Cup of Nations, raising the possibility of temporarily removing their names from the club's domestic roster to compensate for their absence.
Background to the crisis: Saudi League regulations and the Nations Cup
The Saudi Professional League regulations require clubs to register a specific number of foreign players on their domestic rosters, which puts clubs with African stars in a difficult position during the Africa Cup of Nations. This tournament is the most important on the continent, and players are obligated to join their national teams, meaning they will be absent from their clubs for periods that can extend beyond a month. In Al-Hilal's case, the absence of Bono and Coulibaly, who form the backbone of the defense, represents a significant blow to the league leaders' ambitions to compete for all titles.
The decision rests with Jesus... and its impact on the team's future
According to sources close to the club, Al-Hilal's management has entrusted the final decision to Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus. He is best positioned to assess the team's technical needs during this critical period and determine whether relying on local substitutes is sufficient, or if the club needs to utilize its two foreign player slots to register new players who can provide an immediate boost. This decision carries significant risk; Jesus will bear the responsibility for the consequences of his choice, whether it be maintaining the squad's stability and awaiting the return of the two stars, or venturing into changes that could disrupt team cohesion.
Available alternatives and the challenge of compensating for absence
In the absence of Bono, Saudi international goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais emerges as a primary option to replace him, a goalkeeper with considerable experience. In defense, Coulibaly's absence will open the door for players like Hassan Tambakti and Ali Al-Bulaihi to assume greater responsibility. However, the question remains whether the team can maintain its usual defensive solidity without two leaders of Bono and Coulibaly's caliber, especially given the fierce competition for the league title. It's worth noting that Al-Hilal continues its successful run, with its latest victory being a 2-0 win against Al-Fateh, which underscores the strength of the current squad and its desire to continue accumulating points.
