Latest news with #AlDuhail
The South African
20 hours ago
- Sport
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs: Amakhosi to lose out on 200-goal striker?
Kaizer Chiefs could lose out on top African striker Michael Olunga, who has netted 130 goals in Qatar in the past four years. The 31-year-old was previously linked with a move to Kaizer Chiefs, but reports suggest he is close to joining a club in the United Arab Emirates. The Kenyan international has been linked with a move to the Glamour Boys since the previous transfer window. Amakhosi instead signed former SuperSport United striker Tashreeq Morris in January. The Kenyan striker is now a free agent having left Qatari giants Al Duhail but it looks like he won't be joining Kaizer Chiefs. He is reportedly on the brink of joining Emirati side Al-Nasr. Kenya's Michael Olunga became Al Duhail's all-time top scorer with 130 goals, having joined them four and a half years ago. He has scored over 200 goals in his professional career. Al Duhail confirmed the striker's departure in a heartfelt statement posted on their official website, praising Olunga's professionalism, discipline, and immense contribution to the club's recent successes. 'Olunga was an example of professionalism and discipline on and off the field, and contributed significantly to the club's numerous achievements and championships,' the club said. 'He left a clear mark on the club's history through his decisive goals and contributions to the first football team.' Olunga joined the Qatari side from Japan's Kashiwa Reysol in January 2021 and hit the ground running. During his time in Qatar, he attracted several teams, including Kaizer Chiefs however, the Kenyan striker remained with the Qatari team until 2025. 'I spent four amazing years with the club, filled with tremendous support and love both on and off the pitch,' Olunga said. 'I'm happy to have played for this great club; joining a club of Al Duhail's stature was a huge step for me.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former Liverpool man Philippe Coutinho finally set to get answer on future after years of loans
Philippe Coutinho could soon call a permanent end to his Aston Villa career and secure a transfer back to his homeland of Brazil. The attacker, who made over 200 appearances for Liverpool in a five-year spell between 2013 and 2018, is currently on loan at boyhood club, Vasco da Gama. Advertisement That temporary spell represents the second loan move since he joined Villa on a permanent deal from Barcelona in 2022. He would make just 22 appearances for the Midlands club before joining Qatari side Al-Duhail in 2023. A move back to Vasco de Gama followed, with Coutinho frozen out by Villa boss Unai Emery. The 33-year-old has enjoyed his time back at the club with whom he started his career back in 2009 and is keen to stay. READ MORE: Forgotten Liverpool teenager who stunned Jurgen Klopp set to face Chelsea at Club World Cup READ MORE: Liverpool goalkeeper set to complete Ajax transfer after signing new contract Advertisement But with transfer talks dragging on and the prospect of having to return to Villa, where he is surplus to requirements, looming, Coutinho says this week could be decisive. He is quoted as saying: 'People are talking, this week I think it's positive to talk about and decide everything.' Villa are keen to offload Coutinho in order to comply with PSR requirements and Vasco chief executive Carlos Amodeo, is now optimistic a deal can be done. He said: 'The goal is to keep the player. 'There is no problem between him and Vasco. The point is to resolve the situation with Aston Villa so we can move forward. Advertisement 'Coutinho is a player we want to count on for the rest of the season. We're in contact with his staff awaiting his release.' Coutinho has struggled to find a permanent home since leaving Liverpool in a deal worth around £145m in January 2018. The Brazilian informed the Reds of his desire to move to Barcelona, who would secure his transfer six months after making their interest known. But the attacker struggled for consistency with the Catalan giants and was sent on loan to Bayern Munich. Despite eight goals in 23 appearances in Germany, Bayern turned down the opportunity to sign him permanently before a move to Aston Villa followed. Speaking to the ECHO in 2019, Liverpool chairman Tom Werner stated that Coutinho "probably regrets" choosing to leave Anfield for Barcelona. Advertisement "I would just point to the story of Philippe Coutinho," Werner told the ECHO. "I have only good things to say about Philippe. But I think he left Liverpool because he wanted to play for one of the two big Spanish clubs. "We tried to convince him that we had the club moving in the right direction and that he could experience big Champions League occasions by staying at Liverpool. "I think he probably regrets his decision."
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ziyech busy since entering free agency: Moroccan offers himself to three Serie A clubs
According to transfer journalist Nicolò Schira (via VoetbalPrimeur), Hakim Ziyech has offered himself to three Serie A clubs. While it is not known which Italian clubs are involved, it is clear that the left-footer is not sitting still following his departure from Qatari club Al Duhail. About a week and a half ago, Al Duhail announced that Ziyech had left the club after just six months. Advertisement In that time, the Dutch-born Moroccan international only played 13 official matches for the club, scoring one goal and providing one assist. The creative midfielder is now working hard to find a new employer quickly. 'Ziyech has offered himself to three clubs from the Serie A', writes Schira, who does not mention which clubs. The 32-year-old Ziyech's transfer value is currently estimated at around 4.5 million euros. GBeNeFN | Max Bradfield
Qatar Tribune
08-06-2025
- Sport
- Qatar Tribune
Al Annabi arrive in Tashkent for next Asian Qualifiers clash vs Uzbekistan
The Qatar national football team arrived in Tashkent for their next FIFA World Cup 2026 AFC Asian Qualifiers Group A match against Uzbekistan, to be played on Tuesday. Al Annabi's Spanish coach Luiz Lopetegui has called up Nabil Erfan of Al Wakrah and Mohammed Ayash of Al Duhail to the squad that will face Uzbekistan. Qatar have already qualified for the playoff stage having defeated Iran 1-0 in their last match at home. Qatar have 13 points with four wins. Iran top the group with 20 points, followed by Uzbekistan (18), the UAE (14), Qatar (13), Kyrgyzstan (7), and North Korea (3). Iran and Uzbekistan have both secured automatic qualification to FIFA World Cup 2026. As many as 18 teams have qualified for the current stage that was divided into three groups, each containing six teams competing in a split league system of two home and away stages. The first and second-placed teams from each group qualify directly for the World Cup. The third and fourth-placed teams in each group advance to the fourth round, which will see the teams divided into two groups of three. The top team in each group will qualify for the World Cup, while the second-placed teams will play a continental play-off to qualify for FIFA World Cup 2026 to be stage in the US, Canada and Mexico.
Qatar Tribune
08-06-2025
- Sport
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar to wrap up preparations for Tuesday's Uzbekistan match
TASHKENT: On Monday, the Qatari national football team will conclude its preparations for its upcoming match against host, Uzbekistan, at Bunyodkor Stadium on Tuesday, 4.45pm Doha time. The match marks the 10th and final round of Group A in the third set of Asian qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 26, to be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The Qatari team arrived in the Uzbek capital on Sunday evening and will hold their final training session at Bunyodkor Stadium on Monday, which is also when Head coach Julen Lopetegui will give the pre-match press conference. Earlier on Sunday, the Qatari squad trained at Khalifa International Stadium, with the coaching staff focusing on physical preparation, as well as tactical and technical aspects of play. Coach Lopetegui called up Nabil Erfan from Al Wakrah and Mohammed Ayash from Al Duhail to join the national team for the Uzbekistan match. Although mostly a formality for the reigning two-time AFC Asian Cup champions, Qatar's head coach wants the Uzbekistan match to maintain Qatar's upward momentum and build on the morale boost from their 1-0 victory over group leaders, Iran, in the previous round, which was Iran's first loss in the current qualifiers. Currently sitting 4th in the group with 13 points from four wins, Qatar have already secured a place in the Asian playoff round, along with the UAE. Iran leads the group with 20 points, followed by Uzbekistan with 18, the UAE 14, Qatar 13, Kyrgyzstan 7, and North Korea 3. Iran and Uzbekistan have already clinched the group's two direct qualification spots for the FIFA World Cup 26.
