Mubarak Al-Fanini

KUWAIT CITY, Nov 18Salmiya is looking to bring back midfielder Mubarak Al-Fanini, who transferred to Qadsia in May 2023 on a contract running until the end of this season. Al-Fanini has struggled to make an impact with the “Yellow,” largely due to recurring injuries, the most recent of which, in September, sidelined him for over 60 days.

Badr Hassan Ashour is set to take over as Al-Arabi General Manager of the football department, replacing club president Abdulaziz Ashour as part of the club’s recent organizational restructuring. The move aims to strengthen the team’s performance and challenge for domestic titles after a disappointing previous season.

Last week, Al-Arabi also appointed Nasser Al-Shatti as head coach following the dismissal of Portuguese manager Marco Fich. Fich was let go after the team’s exit from the group stage of the Asian Challenge League and a first-season defeat to bottom-ranked Al-Nasr.

Al-Shatti conducted his first training session with the team on Monday, despite the absence of players called up to the senior and Olympic national teams, as well as foreign professionals. The squad will travel to the UAE at the end of November for a short training camp to prepare for the Qadsia derby on December 17 in the Zain Premier League and the Emir Cup final on December 23.

Meanwhile, Qadsia has terminated the contract of Egyptian forward Mahmoud Abdel-Moneim “Kahraba” after underwhelming performances since joining in August. Kahraba becomes the second foreign player to leave the club, following Libyan striker Mohamed Sula, while Congolese forward Neskins Kipano is also expected to depart during the winter transfer window.

Kuwait Club has strengthened its first-team coaching staff with the appointment of Moroccan Toufiq Belagha, joining Montenegrin Nebojša Jović and Tunisian Karim Bouzghiba. Belagha brings extensive experience in Kuwait, having previously worked with youth teams at several clubs.

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff