Al-Wahda faces Abha: Khaymi motivates the players, and Saeed Al-Mawlid is absent
In exceptional circumstances ahead of a crucial Saudi Professional League match, Hatem Khimi, president of Al-Wahda Club, resorted to technological solutions to overcome the health obstacles preventing his presence on the field with the team. Through an emotional conference call, Khimi motivated the players of the "Knights of Mecca" and the technical and administrative staff, emphasizing the importance of the upcoming stage and the necessity of returning with a victory from Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium in Al-Mahalah, where the team will face Abha on Sunday evening.
The challenge of administrative absence and incentive rewards
This swift administrative move comes at a time when the club president is adhering to the medical team's instructions, which prevent him from engaging in direct field work, pending the results of medical tests scheduled for next Tuesday. Khaymi didn't stop at moral support; he also promised generous financial rewards in the event of a victory, a move aimed at boosting the players' morale after inconsistent results in recent rounds, as the historic Makkah club seeks to regain its footing and satisfy its passionate fans.
A painful blow to Al Wahda's defense
On the technical front, the coaching staff, led by coach Rossmir, suffered a significant blow with the confirmed absence of former international right-back Saeed Al-Mawlid. Medical examinations revealed that the player requires an intensive two-week treatment and rehabilitation program, meaning he will miss official matches and group training sessions. This absence puts the coach in a tactical dilemma, especially with the replacement in the same position also injured, limiting the available options to Hani Al-Subiani and Rawaf Al-Muqadi to fill the defensive gap on the right flank against Abha's attack.
Al-Shafi'i returns and the back line is repaired
Meanwhile, the coaching staff breathed a sigh of relief after the medical team gave the green light for the solid Algerian defender Farouk Chafai to participate in matches. Chafai is expected to form a strong defensive partnership with Iraqi professional Ali Adnan, a duo that coach Rosmir is counting on to secure the back line and avoid the mistakes that recently cost the team valuable points against Al-Diriyah and Al-Faisaly. In his latest training sessions, the coach emphasized the need for mental focus throughout the 90 minutes to ensure a positive result.
Reviving the glory of handball
Away from the pitch, and in a move reflecting the administration's desire to revive the glory of various sports, Hatem Khimi issued a strategic decision appointing former player Mohammed Al-Qurashi as the general supervisor of handball. This step aims to restore the luster of the sport, which has long been a source of pride for Al-Wahda Club, with the team having previously won league, cup, and super cup titles, in addition to representing the Kingdom in Asian competitions. This decision comes to end the stagnation that the sport has experienced at the club for four years, confirming the administration's commitment to building a comprehensive sports system that is not solely dependent on football.
