Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, manager of Al-Nassr FC, announced the official lineup for the team's highly anticipated match against Al-Fayha. This match is part of the 24th round of the Saudi Professional League and will be held at Al-Awwal Park Stadium in Riyadh, a highly anticipated clash for Al-Nassr fans.

Al-Nassr's official lineup for the match against Al-Fayha

Jesus decided to play his strongest hand in this match, relying on a mix of international experience and outstanding local players. The selected squad is as follows:

• Goalkeeper: Pinto Matheus.
• Defense line: Nawaf Bushel, Mohammed Simakan, Abdul-Ilah Al-Amri, Iñigo Martínez.
• Midfield: Kingsley Coman, Abdullah Al-Khaibari, Marcelo Brozovic.
• Attack line: Sadio Mane, Joao Felix, Cristiano Ronaldo.

The striking force to consolidate the lead

The Al-Nassr vs. Al-Fayha match will feature a clear attacking strategy from coach Jorge Jesus, who aims to secure an early victory by deploying his formidable attacking trio led by Cristiano Ronaldo, supported by Sadio Mane and Joao Felix, and spearheaded by the pace of winger Kingsley Coman. This sweeping attacking lineup aims to guarantee the win and claim the three points to maintain their position at the top of the Saudi Professional League standings, while preempting any surprises the visitors might spring.

High morale and competitive context

Al-Nassr enters this match with sky-high morale, especially after their exceptional performance in their last game, where they secured a resounding 5-0 victory against Al-Najma. This impressive win not only earned the team points but also sent a strong message to their rivals about the technical and physical readiness of Jesus's squad in the crucial stages of the league.

The importance of the match in the league campaign

This match is of particular importance given the crucial stage the Saudi Professional League is currently in, where dropping any points is unacceptable amidst fierce competition. Al-Nassr fans are counting on the strong synergy between their international signings and local talents like Abdulilah Al-Amri and Nawaf Boushal to solidify the defense, while Brozovic is tasked with controlling the midfield. The Al-Fayha match will be a true test of the team's ability to maintain their winning streak and continue their upward trajectory, especially considering the significant development of Saudi clubs and the increasingly close competition in the league.

The Saudi Basketball Federation issued an important official statement in the past few hours, revealing new developments regarding the national team's progress in the qualifiers for the 2027 FIBA ​​Basketball World Cup. This statement comes within the framework of transparency and continuous communication with sports fans and the media, to clarify the changes that have occurred in the international match schedule.

The federation announced in its press release that it had received official notification from the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), the governing body of the sport globally, regarding the postponement of several matches in the second window of the Asian qualifiers for the World Cup. The federation explained that this decision was made in response to the current situation in the region and stems from the utmost concern and priority that FIBA ​​and the national federations place on the safety of players, technical and administrative staff, and all those involved in organizing these sporting events.

In detail, the highly anticipated match between the Saudi Arabian national team and their Qatari counterparts, originally scheduled for Monday, March 2nd in Doha, has been postponed. According to the new amendments approved by FIBA, this match will now take place at the start of the third window of the qualifiers, scheduled for June. The statement indicated that the updated and complete schedule of matches will be announced later by FIBA ​​once coordination with all relevant parties is finalized.

In light of these developments, it was decided that the Saudi national team delegation would return directly to the Kingdom from Lebanon, where they had been holding a training camp or playing matches. The return arrangements were carried out with meticulous follow-up and high-level coordination by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Lebanon, and with direct support from the Ministry of Sports and the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, to ensure the safe arrival of all members of the delegation.

It is worth noting that the FIBA ​​Basketball World Cup qualifiers utilize an international "window" system, allowing teams to play home-and-away matches throughout the year, thus making each game crucial in the qualification process. Postponing matches in such continental and international tournaments is a standard precautionary measure employed by FIBA ​​when circumstances arise that could affect the safety and security of the teams or the fairness of the competition, as the integrity of the sporting system is a red line that cannot be crossed.

The Saudi Basketball Federation concluded its statement by emphasizing its continuous and close monitoring with the International Basketball Federation and relevant authorities to keep abreast of any new developments, expressing its sincere appreciation for the fruitful cooperation and coordination between all parties to ensure the safety of the participating teams, and asking God Almighty to perpetuate the blessings of security, safety and stability upon the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

On Saturday, the Senegalese capital, Dakar, witnessed a protest march in which hundreds of citizens participated to denounce the continued detention of 18 Senegalese fans in Moroccan prisons, in connection with the riots that accompanied the final match of the African Cup of Nations football tournament held in Morocco in mid-January.

According to Agence France-Presse, demonstrators marched for over 1.5 kilometers through the streets of a northern Dakar neighborhood, chanting slogans demanding the "release of the hostages" and carrying banners appealing to Moroccan and Senegalese authorities to intervene and end the crisis. The demonstration took place under heavy security, with a police source confirming that around 250 people participated and that no incidents were reported.

Details and background of court rulings

These protests are a direct response to the sentences handed down by a Rabat court on February 19, which sentenced 18 fans to prison terms ranging from three months to one year. The defendants were convicted on charges related to inciting sports-related violence, including assaulting members of the security forces, participating in a partial pitch invasion, and throwing projectiles that endangered the safety of players and fans during the heated match.

Political and diplomatic dimensions of the crisis

The repercussions of the case extended beyond the realm of sports, taking on a political and diplomatic dimension, with Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko intervening in the crisis. In a speech before the National Assembly last Tuesday, Sonko expressed his regret over the verdicts, noting that the issue had "transcended the sporting sphere." He emphasized the deep historical ties between the two countries, stating, "For two countries that consider themselves friends like Morocco and Senegal, things should not have reached this point," reflecting Senegal's desire to contain the situation and preserve the strong bonds between Dakar and Rabat.

The dramatic match scenario

The roots of these unfortunate events can be traced back to the night of January 18th in Rabat, where the Africa Cup of Nations final was marred by unprecedented tension. Tempers flared in stoppage time of the second half, with the score still 0-0, after the referee disallowed a Senegalese goal and awarded a penalty to hosts Morocco. These decisions led to several Senegalese players leaving the pitch in protest, while groups of fans attempted to invade the field and hurled projectiles at security personnel. Despite the chaos, the match resumed and ended with Senegal winning 1-0 after extra time, claiming the title in a highly charged atmosphere.

General context and challenges of stadium violence

This incident casts a shadow over the issue of stadium violence in Africa, highlighting the challenges faced by host countries of major tournaments in balancing security measures with sportsmanship. Morocco is known for its strict legal approach to dealing with sports-related violence to ensure the safety of facilities and fans, which explains the sentences handed down. Senegal, however, believes it is necessary to consider the context of passionate fan support and the fraternal relations between the two nations.