KUWAIT CITY, July 9: The technical and administrative staff at Al Arabi has decided to delay signing a fifth professional player until September, just before the summer transfer window closes. Al Arabi's current roster includes four foreign players: Nigerian Anayo Iweala, Algerians Ahmed Khalidi and Sofiane Bouchard, and Moroccan Hamza Khaba.

The club has opted not to renew the contracts of the Algerian trio Imad Eddine Boubacar, Tunisian Ayman, and Moroccan Walid Sabbar. Al Arabi plans to select its fifth foreign player from Asia after assessing the team’s needs during its training camp abroad in mid-July. Training continues at Sabah Al-Salem Stadium before the team heads to Bosnia on July 18 for their pre-season camp.

Players Bandar Al-Salama and Hassan Hamdan are completing rehabilitation and strength training at the Aspire Academy in Qatar. They are expected to join the team in Bosnia by the end of July. Al Arabi aims to strengthen its squad to compete for local titles after a trophyless season. The team also seeks to achieve notable results in the Asian Challenge Cup, representing Kuwait in the tournament.

Participating clubs include Al-Seeb (Oman), Al-Futwa (Syria), Hilal Al-Quds (Palestine), Arkadag (Turkmenistan), Bashundhara Kings (Bangladesh), Mazaya (Maldives), a Lebanese representative, and two teams from Anna (Kyrgyzstan), Atak (Afghanistan), Church Boys United (Nepal), and Barrow (Bhutan), plus two teams eliminated from the AFC Champions League 2 preliminary round from the West Region.

Al Arabi awaits the Challenge Cup group stage draw on August 22. The group matches will take place from October 26 to November 2, with the quarter-finals first legs on March 5-6, 2025, and second legs on March 12-13. The semi-finals will be held on April 9-10 and April 16-17, with the final set for May 10, 2025.

Hassan Musa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff