Qadsia completes triple swoop, Arabi faces Al Shatti dilemma

Moroccan forward Hamza Khaba celebrates after scoring during a match.

KUWAIT CITY, July 12: Qadsia has completed the signings of three foreign players as part of its preparations for the 2026-27 season, adding Oman international striker Abdulrahman Al Mushaifri, Moroccan forward Hamza Khaba and Nigerian defender Gabriel Orok.

Al Mushaifri, 27, spent last season with Czech side Artis Brno, helping the club reach the promotion playoffs for the Czech First League. Brno, however, failed to earn promotion after losing both playoff matches to Slovácko.

Khaba returns to Kuwaiti football after a season with Moroccan giant AS FAR. The striker previously enjoyed a prolific spell with Arabi in the 2023-24 and 2024-25 campaigns, finishing as the league's top scorer before returning to Morocco.

Orok, 25, arrives from Libyan club Al Ahly Benghazi, where he played during the previous season.

Qadsia is expected to unveil more signings in the coming days before departing for a preseason training camp in Alexandria, Egypt, later this month. The Yellow will represent Kuwait in this season's AFC Challenge League.

Uncertainty continues to surround the future of Arabi head coach Nasser Al Shatti, despite the fact that his contract runs through June 2028.

Sources indicate that relations between Al Shatti and the club's board have deteriorated, raising doubts over whether he will remain in charge. Syrian coach Firas Al Khatib, who has led Fahaheel for the past three seasons, has emerged as the leading candidate to replace him.

On the playing front, Arabi has signed Ethiopian attacking midfielder and forward Kenan Maleko as it continues strengthening the squad for the new campaign.

The club has also confirmed the departure of Bahrain international Kamil Al Aswad, while management presses ahead with a comprehensive overhaul of both its domestic and foreign player roster.

Arabi has additionally recruited Talal Al Qaisi from Kazma and Ali Al Dukhi, formerly of Al Shabab and Fahaheel.

The Green faces an important continental test on Aug. 12 against India's East Bengal in the qualifying playoff for the AFC Champions League Two.

Kuwait Club has continued its summer recruitment by signing Kuwait international midfielder Abdullah Al Qarzai from Arabi.

Al Qarzai is the club's third domestic acquisition of the transfer window after defender Hassan Hamdan and striker Salman Al Awadhi, who also joined from Arabi.

Working alongside new Portuguese head coach Alexandre Santos, Kuwait's management is expected to complete further additions before the team begins preseason training ahead of its AFC Champions League Two campaign.

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff