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Arab Times
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Arab Times
Kuwait Club launches preseason training ahead of historic treble defense
KUWAIT CITY, July 23: Kuwait Club kicks off its training sessions this evening as it gears up to defend its remarkable treble from last season. The new campaign will officially start on September 12 with the opening of the Zain Premier League, under the guidance of Montenegrin coach Nebojsa Jovovic. Last season, Kuwait Club dominated domestic soccer by winning the Zain Premier League, Crown Prince Cup, and Super Cup titles. The team also reached the Amir Cup final, initially scheduled for June 16 but postponed due to unforeseen circumstances. The squad will continue training until mid-August, when it is scheduled to depart for an overseas training camp. Following last season, the club prioritized squad stability by renewing contracts with key foreign players: Mohammed Marhoon (Bahrain), Arsen 'Malik' Zola (Congo), and Yassine Khenissi (Tunisia). Contract extensions were also signed by local stars including Faisal Zayed, Ahmed Al-Dhafiri, Mohammed Farih, Redha Hani, Saud Al-Hoshan, and Mohsen Faleh (who has since been loaned to Al-Nasr). Additionally, the club secured the signing of veteran goalkeeper Khaled Al-Rashidi, who brings extensive experience from his previous stints with Qadsia, Arabi, Salmiya, and the Kuwait national team. Kuwait Club is also close to signing Sam Morsy, the English-Egyptian captain of Ipswich Town, who is expected to replace Ameen Abu Al-Fath after agreeing on most contract terms. Arabi will conclude the first phase of its preparation program this evening under the leadership of Portuguese coach Marco Alves. The team will begin its second phase tomorrow, heading to an overseas training camp in the UAE, which will last until August 8. During this period, Arabi will participate in three friendly matches before traveling to the Maldives to face Maziya Sports Club on August 12 in a decisive AFC Challenge League playoff match. The winner will advance to the group stage of the competition. Kazma has completed its foreign player roster by signing 27-year-old Algerian defender Idris Chaabi, joining fellow foreign recruits Jordanian players Ali Azaizeh and Yousef Abu Al-Jazar. The club also renewed contracts with striker Samson Akinyoola (Benin) and winger Anas Al-Awadat (Jordan). Yarmouk signed goalkeeper Mohammed Ajaj from Al-Nasr to bolster its squad for the upcoming Zain First Division League, which will commence on September 14. Ajaj becomes the third local player to join Yarmouk, alongside Mohammed Abdulhadi and Othman Al-Dossari, all of whom were recommended by head coach Dhaher Al-Adwani. The club also finalized its foreign contingent, signing Syrian defender Abdullah Al-Shami, Tunisian striker Hazem Haj Hassan, Malian midfielder Moriba Diallo, Ghanaian winger Rubin Akwa, and Congolese midfielder Lusuku.
Arab Times
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Arab Times
Zayed signs extension as Kuwait Club sets sights on new season
KUWAIT CITY, July 14: Kuwait Club has officially renewed the contract of midfielder Faisal Zayed for one more season as part of its ongoing preparations for the 2025–2026 sports season. Zayed, who joined Kuwait Club from Al-Jahra seven seasons ago, has become a key figure in the team's midfield. His renewal adds to a list of other retained talents, including Ahmed Al-Dhafiri, Mohammed Fareeh, Reda Hani, Saud Al-Hoshan, Mohsen Falah, and Mohammed Al-Rashed. The club has also strengthened its squad by re-signing veteran goalkeeper Khaled Al-Rashidi, who previously played for Al-Qadsiya, Al-Arabi, and Al-Salmiya and recently represented the national team. Additionally, head coach Nebojsa Jovovic of Montenegro has renewed his contract for a second consecutive season. Fresh off a dominant season, the 'Whites' are aiming to maintain their winning momentum. Last year, Kuwait Club clinched the Zain Premier League, Crown Prince Cup, and the Super Cup, while also reaching the final of His Highness the Amir Cup, which was postponed from its scheduled date of June 16 due to regional circumstances. Tunisian coach Nabil Maaloul is expected to arrive in Kuwait today to lead Qadsiya in its preparations for the upcoming season. The team is scheduled to hold its first training session tomorrow, with the new Zain Premier League campaign kicking off on September 12. The club's technical and administrative staff is working swiftly to complete their foreign player roster. Contracts with Moroccan Ismail Khafi, Nigerian Daniel Gibola, and Algerian Hussein Dhiri have been terminated, while the status of Libyan Mohamed Soula and Moroccan Mehdi Berrahma remains unresolved. Newly promoted Al-Shabab continues to enhance its squad with local talent. The club has signed former Kuwait Club midfielder Hussein Al-Harbi, in addition to earlier acquisitions including goalkeeper Saud Al-Qanaei and players Ahmed Ghazi, Mohammed Khalil, Yaqoub Al-Tararwah, Shaheen Al-Khamis, and Dhahi Al-Shammari. Relegated side Khaitan has made significant moves in the transfer market by signing five foreign players—two from Tunisia, two from Brazil, and one from Ghana—in preparation for the First Division, which begins on September 14. Training will commence the day after tomorrow at Nasser Al-Osaimi Stadium, under the guidance of Tunisian coach Hatem Al-Mouddeb. The team will then head to Cairo, Egypt, by August 15 for a training camp featuring four friendly matches.
Arab Times
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Arab Times
Al-Salmiya signs Nasser Al-Shatti as head coach for the season
KUWAIT CITY, July 12: Al-Salmiya Club officially announced the signing of coach Nasser Al-Shatti and his brother, Maitham Al-Shatti, to lead the first football team in preparation for the upcoming 2025-2026 season. The agreement was finalized the day before yesterday following months of negotiations that began earlier this year. Al-Shatti had previously led Al-Arabi to an impressive season, finishing as runner-up in the Zain Premier League and the Crown Prince Cup, and reaching the final of the Amir's Cup, which was postponed last June due to regional circumstances. The team also reached the AFC Challenge Cup semifinals. Despite Al-Arabi's desire to renew his contract for a third season, both sides were unable to reach a final agreement. As a result, Al-Salmiya parted ways with Croatian coach Ante Miša, who had been under contract through the end of next season. The club expressed its gratitude to Miša and wished him success in future endeavors. With the appointment of the Al-Shatti brothers, Al-Salmiya aims to return to title contention and secure local championships after a prolonged absence from the podium. In addition to the coaching change, Al-Salmiya has reinforced its squad by signing Abdullah Al-Shamali, who recently ended his stint with Al-Qadsiya. Al-Shamali began his career at Al-Arabi and spent the last two seasons at Al-Qadsiya. Meanwhile, Al-Arabi has announced the appointment of Jordanian coach Ahmed Hayel as assistant coach, joining the technical staff led by Portuguese head coach Marco Cesar Pereira Alves, whose hiring was confirmed last week. Hayel will work alongside Portuguese coach Alonso, who was recently added to the staff, marking his first coaching role outside Jordan. A former Al-Arabi player, Hayel's career was cut short by a head injury nearly a decade ago. He brings a strong coaching résumé, having guided the Jordan U-23 Olympic team to the 2021 West Asian Championship title and qualification for the AFC Asian Cup finals. He also served as assistant coach for Jordan's senior national team and led Al-Faisaly and Al-Hussein Irbid, winning the Jordanian Professional League title last season. Al-Arabi's technical staff also includes: Tunisian Khalil Jebabli as fitness coach (continuing in his role) Portuguese Blessing Lumiono and Ahmed Hayel as assistant coaches Brazilian Artur Guedes as goalkeeper coach Algerian Mahfouz Jenad as a technical analyst
Arab Times
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Arab Times
Marco Alves named Al-Arabi coach as club prepares for new season
KUWAIT CITY, July 9: Al-Arabi Club has officially appointed Portuguese coach Marco Cesar Pereira Alves to lead the club's first football team as preparations begin for the upcoming 2025–2026 season. Alves replaces Nasser Al-Shatti, the Kuwaiti coach who led Al-Arabi for two consecutive seasons. Despite notable achievements — including finishing as runner-up in the Zain Premier League and the Crown Prince Cup, as well as reaching the Amir's Cup final (postponed due to regional circumstances) — both sides reached a mutual decision to part ways. While Alves may not have an extensive head coaching résumé, he brings considerable experience as an assistant coach. His past roles include stints with Sharjah (UAE) and Al-Taawoun (Saudi Arabia), as well as several Portuguese clubs, including Vitória Guimarães, Trofense, Chaves, Moreirense, and Gil Vicente. He has also obtained the prestigious UEFA Pro License, qualifying him to manage both top-tier European clubs and national teams. Alves and his assistant staff are expected to arrive in Kuwait within the next two days to finalize contract details, ahead of their first official duty: leading the team's preseason training session on Tuesday. Al-Arabi will begin its competitive campaign on August 12, facing Maziya Sports of the Maldives in a critical play-off match for a spot in the group stage of an upcoming international tournament. One of the new coaching staff's first major responsibilities will be finalizing the club's foreign player lineup. The club has renewed contracts with its two Nigerian players, Emmanuel Iwala and Christopher John, but opted not to retain Sofiane Bouchar (Algeria), Hamza Khaba (Morocco), and Kamil Al-Aswad (Bahrain). Al-Arabi's management has been actively scouting foreign talent to strengthen the squad ahead of the Zain Premier League, which kicks off on September 12. Among the latest names linked to the club is Egyptian striker Marawan Hamdi, currently playing for Pyramids FC.
Arab Times
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Arab Times
Falah rejoins Kuwait Club for the upcoming season
KUWAIT CITY, July 1: Kuwait Club has successfully re-acquired players Mohsen Falah and Mohammed Al-Rashed as part of its preparations for the upcoming 2025-2026 season. Both players are considered homegrown talents, and their return aligns with the club's strategy to reinforce the squad with promising and distinguished young players. Falah, a left-back, previously represented the Olympic and the national teams before an injury sidelined him. He later joined Al-Yarmouk Club on loan, and now Kuwait Club has brought him back ahead of the new season. Kuwait Club has been proactive in its preseason preparations, starting early by renewing the contract of Montenegrin coach Nebojsa Jovovic for a second term. Under Jovovic's leadership, the team clinched the Zain Premier League, Crown Prince Cup, and Super Cup titles, and reached the Amir Cup final — originally scheduled for June 16 but postponed due to regional circumstances. In addition to Falah and Al-Rashed, Kuwait Club renewed contracts with several local players, including Ahmed Al-Dhafiri, Mohammed Fareeh, Reda Hani, and Saud Al-Hoshan. The club also secured the signing of veteran goalkeeper Khaled Al-Rashidi, who has experience with Al-Qadsiya, Al-Arabi, and Al-Salmiya, and recently featured for the national team. Al-Salmiya Club is currently awaiting a response from coach Nasser Al-Shatti following an offer to lead the team for the next season. While most terms of the agreement have been agreed upon, the contract remains unsigned due to Al-Shatti's ongoing negotiations with Al-Arabi and Al-Salmiya's interest in securing his leadership for a third season. Negotiations between the parties have stalled without reaching a compromise. Meanwhile, Croatian coach Ante Miša remains under contract with Al-Salmiya through the end of next season. As part of its preparations for the new season, Al-Shabab has bolstered its roster by signing player Mohammed Khalil. Khalil, formerly part of Qadsiya's squad, faced a series of injuries that kept him out for extended periods. Returning to the Zain Premier League, Al-Shabab has also signed local talents including Yaqoub Al-Tararwah, Shaheen Al-Khamis, and Dhahi Al-Shammari. The technical staff is currently reviewing several foreign players' profiles with the aim of adding more signings before the season begins.
