Saad Al-Shehri, the manager of Saudi Arabia's Al-Ettifaq, confirmed the club's commitment to retaining the services of Egyptian international striker Ahmed Hassan "Koka," putting an end to recent speculation surrounding the player's future with the club, especially given his absence due to injury. This came during a press conference held on Sunday to discuss the team's preparations for the highly anticipated Eastern Province derby.
Koka's stance on returning to the pitch
In his remarks, Al-Shehri explained that the coaching staff eagerly awaits Koka's return to group training and matches as soon as he is fully fit and medically ready. Al-Shehri stated, "Koka is still our player, and he is one of the team's key pillars upon whom we rely heavily. We are waiting for his return to bolster our attack." These statements underscore the great confidence the coaching staff places in the Egyptian striker, given his extensive experience and ability to make a difference in the final third.
Agreement strategy in the winter transfer window
Regarding the club's plans for the upcoming winter transfer window, the Al-Ettifaq coach revealed that the club has not yet opened the door to new signings. Al-Shehri pointed to a strategic approach focused on investing in young talent, stating, "The team will rely on the outstanding young players in our ranks in the coming period." This approach reflects the management's desire to build a sustainable team based on homegrown players, which aligns with the significant development Saudi football is witnessing in nurturing local talent and giving them the opportunity to gain experience in the competitive Saudi Professional League.
Eastern Derby: A fiery clash is expected
All eyes will be on the stadium tomorrow evening, Monday, as Al-Ettifaq hosts Al-Khaleej at 8:30 PM, in the fifteenth round of the Saudi Professional League. This match holds special significance as it is a derby between two teams from the Eastern Province, adding to its excitement and drawing a large crowd.
The two teams' positions in the standings
Al-Ettifaq enters the match in seventh place in the league standings with 22 points, hoping to capitalize on home advantage and secure three points to move closer to the top four. Meanwhile, Al-Khaleej, currently in ninth place with 18 points, aims for a positive result to improve their position and distance themselves from the relegation zone. Given the close proximity of the two sides in terms of points and form, this promises a high-level tactical encounter.
