The technical staff of the Al-Shabab team received a huge moral and technical boost a few hours before the start of the anticipated football summit, as it was definitively confirmed that the veteran Moroccan striker Abderrazak Hamdallah is ready to lead the attack of “Al-Laith” in the anticipated match against Al-Ahli, within the competitions of the Saudi Professional League, after his full recovery from the injury that he suffered recently.

Al-Shabab fans are placing high hopes on the return of "Al-Sati" to the starting lineup, given his extensive experience in Saudi football and his ability to decide big matches. The Moroccan international striker has only featured in four matches for Al-Shabab this season in the Roshan League, scoring one goal and providing one assist. He hopes to add to his tally in the upcoming derby against Al-Ahli.

Date and details of the Al-Shabab vs. Al-Ahli match

Al Shabab is scheduled to host Al Ahli at 4:55 PM this Friday in a highly anticipated match as part of the 22nd round of the Roshan League. This game is of paramount importance to both sides, as each team seeks to secure the three points to achieve their respective goals in the league standings.

The two teams' positions in the Roshan League standings

The two teams enter the match in completely different circumstances, as Al-Shabab is suffering from a decline in results that has put it in an unenviable position, as it occupies the thirteenth place in the league standings with only (19) points, a position that does not befit the history of the capital club, making a win an urgent necessity to move away from the danger zones and restore confidence.

On the other hand, Al-Ahli Club is experiencing a state of technical stability, as it occupies the fourth position in the standings with (47) points. “Al-Raqui” aspires to continue its series of victories to secure its place in the Asian championships and compete for the advanced positions, which portends a high-level tactical and physical confrontation between Al-Shabab’s desire to make up for lost ground and Al-Ahli’s ambition to advance.

Matches between Al-Shabab and Al-Ahli always have a special character in Saudi football, given the great history that unites the two clubs, and the presence of elite stars in their ranks. The return of Hamdallah is a factor that may tip the scales in favor of the home team in this difficult encounter.

There is a palpable sense of anticipation surrounding the future of Saudi goalkeeper Nawaf Al-Aqidi at Al-Nassr FC, with reports indicating that the player is seriously considering leaving the club during the upcoming summer transfer window. This move stems from the young goalkeeper's desire for a genuine opportunity to play regularly, having found himself relegated to the bench behind Brazilian goalkeeper Pinto, who has become the team's first-choice keeper.

Reasons for considering leaving and the coaching staff's decision

The roots of the crisis lie in recent tactical decisions, with Al-Nassr's manager, Jesus, deciding to bench Al-Aqidi. This strict tactical decision came after the goalkeeper made two costly errors in the league matches against Al-Qadisiyah and Al-Hilal, mistakes that directly impacted the team's position at the top of the standings. This shift in tactical decisions has prompted Al-Aqidi to reconsider his options to ensure the continuation of his professional development and avoid stagnation in his football career at this crucial stage of his career.

The player's agent breaks his silence and clarifies the facts

Amidst these circulating reports, Meshaal Al-Safai, Nawaf Al-Aqidi's agent, issued a strong statement on his official "X" account Wednesday evening to set the record straight. Defending his client, Al-Safai wrote: "When he was present, he silenced everyone with his performances and culminated in our national team's qualification for the World Cup. When he was absent, everyone started talking about him, whether praising or criticizing him. But what's strange is that there are people speaking as if they are decision-makers within the club. It's truly shameful.".

Al-Safa'i put an end to the rumors with a decisive post, saying: "To silence all the slanderers, Nawaf Al-Aqidi is a son of Al-Nassr and gives his all to serve this club. Enough with the rumors." These statements confirm the player's official commitment to his club, despite the technical pressures he is facing.

The context of competition and the impact of foreign professionals

Nawaf Al-Aqidi's situation cannot be separated from the broader context of the Saudi Professional League, which is witnessing a qualitative leap in attracting international stars across various positions, including goalkeeper. The presence of a goalkeeper of the caliber of Brazilian Pinto at Al-Nassr intensifies competition and significantly reduces the margin for error for local goalkeepers. This dynamic presents talented Saudi goalkeepers with significant challenges to prove themselves and wrest the starting position from these international names, which in turn impacts the Saudi national team's options, as they require goalkeepers who play regularly.

Al-Aqidi's numbers and his professional future

In terms of statistics, 25-year-old Nawaf Al-Aqidi has played 11 matches for Al-Nassr this season, conceding 12 goals and keeping only 3 clean sheets, totaling 960 minutes of play. While these statistics reflect his participation in only a portion of the season, they may not be sufficient for a goalkeeper aspiring to be the number one at a club competing for all titles. The question remains: will Al-Aqidi be able to regain the trust of the coaching staff, led by Jesus, and return to the starting lineup, or will leaving in search of more playing time be the best solution to salvage his international and domestic career?

All eyes of Saudi football fans, especially those following the fierce relegation battle in the Saudi Professional League, will be on King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Buraidah on Saturday evening. Al-Najma will host Al-Kholoud in a crucial and decisive match for the 22nd round of the competition, a must-win for the home side.

The context of the competition and the development of the Roshan League

This match comes at a crucial juncture in the Saudi League, which is undergoing unprecedented development on all fronts, both technical and organizational. As the competition enters its decisive second half, the pressure intensifies on the bottom-ranked clubs, where every point becomes a vital step towards survival. The struggle in the Saudi League is no longer limited to the top spot and the title; the battle to avoid relegation has become as exciting and competitive as the top-tier matches, given the high market value of the competition and the financial and prestige gains of remaining in the top flight.

The star... a rescue attempt under new artistic leadership

Al-Najma enters this match in a precarious and unenviable position, languishing at the bottom of the standings with only five points. This tally is alarming, as the team has accumulated five draws without a single victory this season. The match against Al-Kholoud represents a last chance for the team, which has suffered a severe points drought, prompting management to make drastic changes, including the dismissal of Portuguese coach Mario Silva and the appointment of British coach Nestor in an attempt to salvage the situation before it's too late.

New coach Nestor is aware that the task ahead is daunting and complex, especially as the team faces the specter of early relegation if the negative results continue. The coaching staff is relying heavily on the players' morale and their desire to prove themselves, building on the constellation of foreign and local talents who have strengthened the squad. These include Brazilian goalkeeper Victor Braga, his compatriots Samir Souza and Lazaro, as well as French star Bilal Boutouba and Iraqi talent Ali Jassim. Fans are also eagerly anticipating the impactful debuts of new arrivals: Egyptian Nabil Emad "Dunga," Portuguese Joga Rodrigues, and Brazilian Felipe Mardosso, hoping they will provide the desired technical boost and turn the tide.

Immortality... the search for security and a repeat of the departure scenario

On the other hand, Al-Kholoud enters the match with relatively high morale after regaining its balance in recent rounds. Following setbacks against league leaders like Al-Ettifaq and Al-Nassr, the team managed to get back on track with a valuable draw against Damac and an important victory over Al-Shabab, placing them 14th with 19 points. Al-Kholoud aims to capitalize on their opponent's difficult psychological state to achieve their second consecutive win and reach 22 points, which would significantly distance them from the relegation zone and secure their position in the standings, moving them clear of the complex relegation battle.

Al-Khulou evokes memories of the first leg in the fifth round, played at the same stadium, which ended in a resounding 5-1 victory for Al-Khulou, giving them a significant psychological advantage before kickoff. The team relies on a cohesive lineup that includes Argentinian goalkeeper Juan Cosani, the solid Slovakian defender Norbert Gyumbril, and Englishman John Buckley, alongside the formidable attacking force of Ramiro Henrique and Comorian Meziani Maoulida.

The importance of the match and its expected impact

This match holds special significance beyond just the three points; it represents a direct struggle in the relegation zone, a so-called "six-pointer" match. A victory for Al-Najma could rekindle their hopes and narrow the gap with their rivals, potentially reigniting the competition at the bottom of the table. Meanwhile, a win for Al-Kholoud would practically allow them to begin planning for next season with greater ease. The second round of the Roshan League is always highly sensitive, with less room for error and increased psychological and physical pressure on players and coaching staff. This promises fans a high-level tactical and physical encounter that reflects the strength and development of Saudi football.