Kuwait national team head coach Helio Sousa is concentrating on enhancing the team’s readiness and perfecting tactics ahead of the decisive clash.

KUWAIT CITY, Nov 9: Kuwait departed today for Cairo to begin a training camp that will run until November 20, featuring two friendly matches against Tanzania on November 14 and Gambia on November 18. The camp comes as part of preparations for the crucial Arab Cup playoff against Mauritania, scheduled for November 25 in Doha, Qatar.

Head coach Helio Sousa is focused on improving the team’s overall readiness and fine-tuning tactics ahead of the decisive fixture. The Portuguese coach, appointed by the Kuwait Football Association in August to replace Juan Pizzi, is still chasing his first win with the “Blue.” Sousa has so far overseen three matches — a 2-2 draw with Syria in September and back-to-back losses to Uzbekistan (0-2) and Morocco’s Olympic side (0-1).

Meanwhile, Dr. Abdulmajid Al-Bannai, head of the medical department at the Football Association, conducted a series of medical assessments over the past few days to ensure player fitness before finalizing the Cairo squad.

The team continues to deal with several injury setbacks. Khaled Al-Murshid and Bader Tareq were both ruled out after sustaining injuries against Uzbekistan, while Mubarak Al-Faneeni, sidelined for nearly a month, also remains unavailable. On a brighter note, Shabib Al-Khaldi and Eid Al-Rashidi are expected to rejoin the squad.

On the other hand, Mauritania’s head coach Martins Lopez Garai has announced his 25-man roster for the upcoming playoff, with training set to begin tomorrow. The Mauritanian team will also play two friendlies against Tunisia and Libya as part of their preparations.

Garai handed first-time call-ups to Mohamed Sar of FC Nouadhibou and academy prospect Abdulrahman Soumare. At the same time, Biyat Al-Kouri, Aboubakar Koita, and other foreign-based players were left out after their clubs declined to release them.

In a setback for Mauritania, the Football Federation confirmed that international midfielder Mohsen Bedda suffered a serious injury — a complete tear of the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee — during last month’s World Cup 2026 qualifier against Senegal.

By Khaled Al-Enezi

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff