In a gesture reflecting his professionalism and commitment to his club, Senegalese international goalkeeper Edouard Mendy made sure to join his Al-Ahli Saudi teammates' training session immediately upon arriving in Jeddah on Friday. This move comes in preparation for their upcoming match against Neom on Saturday evening, as part of the 18th round of the Saudi Professional League.
Background to the comeback and performance of the Senegalese national team
Mendy had missed eight consecutive matches for Al Ahly due to his international commitments with his national team, Senegal, at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations held in Ivory Coast earlier this year. Although the Lions of Teranga entered the tournament as one of the favorites to retain their title, their journey ended in the round of 16 at the hands of Ivory Coast (the host nation and eventual champions) on penalties. Despite the early exit, Mendy delivered a consistent performance and cemented his status as one of the continent's best goalkeepers.
Mendy's importance to Al Ahly's ambitious project
The signing of Edouard Mendy by Al-Ahli in the summer of 2023 from Chelsea is part of a major transformation in the Saudi league, attracting world-class stars. The goalkeeper, who won the FIFA Best Goalkeeper award in 2021 and the UEFA Champions League with Chelsea, represents a significant boost to Al-Ahli's defense. His immediate return to training, without a break, sends a strong message about his commitment and desire to help the team achieve its goals this season.
Expected impact on the team's performance
Mendy's return is of paramount importance to Al-Ahli at this crucial stage of the season. The team currently sits third in the Roshan League standings with 37 points, level on points with second-placed Al-Nasr but behind on goal difference, and is striving to secure a spot in next season's AFC Champions League. Having a goalkeeper of Mendy's caliber and experience provides the team with stability and confidence in defense, something they lacked in some of the matches he missed. The 32-year-old has featured in 18 matches this season, keeping seven clean sheets and conceding 20 goals – statistics that reflect his significant impact. His return is expected to provide a tremendous morale and tactical boost to the team in their pursuit of a top finish.
