Players in a celebratory mood

KUWAIT CITY, Aug 21: Qadsia is the only Premier League team yet to finalize its foreign player roster, currently featuring Libyan Mohamed Soula, Algerian Sofiane Bouchar, and Moroccan Mehdi Barhama.

This week, Bouchar returned to Algeria following his mother’s passing and will rejoin the team after mourning. Meanwhile, Moroccan Ismail Khafi also left after mutually terminating his contract.

Although reports suggested that Libyan international Hamdou Elhouni had signed with Qadsia, he did not join the squad in Turkey, as his season with Al-Ahli Tripoli had just concluded. The player’s situation has been unclear, with conflicting reports about his contract status.

Barhama has recently clashed with club management, missing Qadsia’s match against Al-Wehda last Tuesday. He met with the Professional Committee and Tunisian coach Nabil Maaloul, insisting on leaving the club before the new season. The dispute centers on the financial terms the club would recover from him, and efforts to find a compromise have so far failed.

Barhama joined Qadsia last season from Kuwait Club. The club is under pressure to complete its foreign player roster ahead of the Zain Premier League opener against Al-Salmiya on September 12 and its Gulf Club Champions League campaign beginning September 30.

Algerian midfielder Osama Cheta, 29, has emerged as a top target for Qadsia. Cheta recently announced his departure and retirement from USM Alger after eight successful years, during which he won four domestic titles and earned caps with the Algerian national team. Over 175 matches with USM Alger, he secured the Algerian league, Algerian Cup, CAF Confederation Cup, and African Super Cup.

Qadsia has also submitted an official offer to USM Alger for forward Andy Delort on a one-year deal, which has reportedly been accepted by both the player and his club.

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff