Saad Al-Shehri, the head coach of Al-Ettifaq's first football team, has finalized his squad list for the upcoming match against Al-Khaleej. In the past few hours, Al-Shehri decided to include South African professional player Mohau Nkouta in the squad for the match, which will be part of the fifteenth round of the Saudi Professional League and will be held at Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam.
This decision came after a period of hesitation from the coaching staff. Saad Al-Shehri had previously ruled out including Nkota, preferring to rest him and avoid risking a recurrence of injury or fatigue, especially since the player had only returned to training a few days before the match. However, the coaching staff, in coordination with the medical team, gave the green light for the player's participation after confirming his complete technical and physical readiness, following the sufficient rest he received during the previous match. This makes him a valuable asset for the coach in this important game.
The importance of the Eastern Province derby and the fans' aspirations
This match holds special significance as it represents a mini-Eastern derby between Al-Ettifaq and Al-Khaleej, encounters that are always characterized by fierce competition and high fan turnout in the Eastern Province. Saad Al-Shehri, by fielding his full attacking force, including Nkota, aims to dominate the game and secure the three points to climb the Roshan League standings, especially given the intense competition this season.
Al-Ettifaq fans are counting heavily on the team's high morale, especially after their thrilling 4-3 victory over Al-Najma in their last match, played at Al-Najma's stadium in Unaizah as part of the cup competition. This win has given the players and coaching staff a significant morale boost to continue their winning streak.
The impact of Nkota's return on the lineup
The return of Mohau Nkota is a significant boost to Al-Ettifaq's attack, as the player's speed and skill could prove key to unlocking Al-Khaleej's compact defense. This move by Al-Shehri underscores his determination to secure every point in home matches, utilizing all available resources to achieve the necessary balance between defense and attack against a resilient team like Al-Khaleej.
