Senegalese center-back Abdou Sidi

KUWAIT CITY, July 16: Tunisian media have reported that, currently with Tunisia’s Ben Guerdane is a strong candidate to join Kuwaiti side Qadsia. The player has also received offers from Libyan club Al-Ahly and Tunisian giants Esperance.

Although Sidi has reportedly agreed to terms with Esperance, Ben Guerdane’s management prefers to transfer him outside Tunisia.

The 23-year-old defender scored six goals last season, showcasing his threat on set-pieces.

In other news, Qadsia officially announced the free transfer signing of veteran international goalkeeper Hameed Al-Khalaf to bolster its squad ahead of the new season.

Al-Khalaf, 37, who has been out of the game for two years, is regarded as one of Kuwait’s top goalkeepers over the last two decades. Throughout his career, he has played for clubs including Yarmouk, Salmiya, Al-Arabi, and, most recently, Kuwait Club, as well as representing the Kuwaiti national team.

Meanwhile, midfielder Mishaal Khalid became the latest player to leave Qadsia ahead of the new campaign, joining a list of departures that includes Nigerian Daniel Jebola, Algerian Hussein Dahiri, and Kuwaitis Abdullah Al-Shamali, Mohammed Khalil, Ahmed Shbeeb, Abdullah Al-Enezi, Mansour Bandar, and Aziz Nasari.

Qadsia began training yesterday under the guidance of Tunisian coach Nabil Maaloul. Sessions will continue at Farouq Ibrahim Stadium until the team departs for their external training camp in early August.

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff