In this file photo, N’Skins Kipano (right) vies for the ball with Ngolo Kante during a Premier League match.

KUWAIT CITY, Sept 10: Qadsia Club has completed its foreign player roster for the new season by signing Congolese international N’Skins Kipano on a one-year deal. He joins Egyptians Mahmoud Abdelmonem “Kahraba,” Libyan Mohamed Sula, and Algerians Victor Lekhal and Sofiane Bouchar.

Kipano was signed to replace Libyan Mohamed Al-Houni, who joined Qadsia in August but later signed another contract with Al-Ahli Tripoli. Qadsia plans to file an official complaint with FIFA over Al-Houni’s breach of contract.

The 33-year-old midfielder began his career with Paris Saint-Germain in 2013-2014, and then moved to Belgian sides Charleroi and Genk. He later played in England with Fulham and Middlesbrough, before spending the past two seasons with the UAE’s Al-Jazira, where he scored 12 goals in 53 appearances. Kipano has also represented France at various youth levels.

Qadsia will face Al-Nasr this Saturday in the first round of the Zain Premier League, but will be without several key players.

Algerian Sofiane Bouchar is serving a suspension carried over from last season with Al-Arabi, while Libyan Mohamed Sula is sidelined with an injury sustained during national team duty. New signing Talal Al-Fadel and rising talent Jassim Al-Matar are also out due to injuries. Midfielder Abdulaziz Wadi is unavailable following a traffic accident.

On a positive note, Qadsia has regained young midfielder Abdulwahab Al-Shallal (20), who spent last season on loan at Yarmouk. Coach Nabil Maaloul has emphasized integrating young talent, with several prospects taking part in the club’s training camp in Turkey to prepare for the new season with the first team.

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff