KUWAIT CITY, May 22: Al-Qadisiya, encompassing its players, technical team, administrative and medical staff, board of directors, and fans, celebrated an unforgettable night after clinching its seventeenth Amir Cup Championship. It triumphed over Al-Salmiya with a decisive goal from Ibrahima Tandia.

This victory is particularly sweet for Al-Qadisiya, as it marks its first title after several lean years. Its last triumph in the Prince’s Cup came in the 2014-2015 season, and its most recent local championship win was the Crown Prince’s Cup in the 2017-2018 seasons, with its last league title in the 2015-2016 seasons.

The players see this “Most Expensive Cup” victory as a turning point. Team captain and star, Badr Al-Mutawa, stated, “This title is the least we can offer to the Al-Qadisiya fans, who have stood by us through difficult seasons.” Regarding his future on the field, Al-Mutawa mentioned that his retirement decision would be postponed until the season's end. However, sources indicate that Al-Mutawa is likely to retire after this season.

Libyan professional Mohamed Sawla expressed his intent to renew his contract with Al-Qadisiya for another season, highlighting that the recent title win positively reflects his contributions this season.

The futures of Argentinian Sergio Vitor, Malian Ibrahima Tandia, and Libyan Mohamed Sawla at Al-Qadisiya appear promising for the new season. In contrast, Nigerian Daniel Guibola and Omani Abdullah Fawaz are unlikely to stay. Sheikh Fahd Talal, head of the football team, noted that the contracts of the professionals involve significant sums, making their replacement a challenging task. Nonetheless, he assured that the club's management is capable of finding even better replacements if necessary.

Coach Muhammad Al-Mishaan praised the players' exceptional efforts in securing the cup, stating that “a single goal was enough to earn Al-Qadisiya this precious title.” He dedicated the cup to the former coach, Mohamed Ibrahim, in recognition of his efforts throughout the past and current seasons. Looking ahead, Al-Mishaan described the upcoming Zain Premier League match against Kuwait Club as a critical final for Al-Qadisiya.

Hassan Musa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff