KUWAIT CITY, July 10: Tunisian playmaker Faisal Al-Mannai is on the brink of joining Al-Qadisiya, with negotiations between the two parties reaching advanced stages.

If finalized, Al-Mannai, 28, will complete Al-Qadisiya's roster of foreign players, joining Libyan Muhammad Al-Soula, Moroccans Mahdi Barahma, and Ismail Khafi, and Nigerian Daniel Guibola. However, Guibola may be on his way out if Al-Mannai's deal is sealed, as the technical staff seeks to sign a new central defender to replace Argentine Sergio Vitor, who has moved to Kuwait Club.

In other news, Al-Qadisiya's star player Badr Al-Mutawa rejoined training sessions after a brief vacation. The team will continue training until it departs for its training camp in Turkey in mid-July, where it will play three friendly matches. Al-Qadisiya is gearing up for the new Zain Premier League season, starting with a match against defending champion  Kuwait Club on August 8, and will also compete in the Gulf Club Championship.

Kuwait Club's newly appointed Montenegrin coach Nebojsa Jovovic led his first training session for Al-Abyad in their camp in Turkey. He replaces Tunisian coach Nabil Maaloul. The camp, which started earlier this week, will continue until July 29, featuring several friendly matches to prepare for the new season. Kuwait Club will face Al-Qadisiyah on August 8 in the first round of the Zain Premier League. The team will then travel to Manama, Bahrain, for a qualifying match in the AFC Champions League 2 tournament.

Al-Nasr Club has signed Othman Al-Shammari from Al-Jahra for one season. Al-Shammari has previously played for the Olympic team and was loaned to Kazma by Al-Jahra. Additionally, Al-Nasr has announced the departure of Syrian defender Amr Midani, making him the fifth professional to leave the team this season. Other departures include Colombian Hansel Zapata (now with Kazma), Syrian Abdullah Al-Shami, Algerian Ayman Lakjaa, and Libyan Moatasem Al-Lafi.

Hassan Musa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff