Saudi Pro League clubs count the cost as stars head to Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon

Odion Ighalo, Saudi Pro League’s leading goalscorer has been called up by Nigeria. (Twitter: @AlShababSaudiFC)
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Updated 04 January 2022
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Saudi Pro League clubs count the cost as stars head to Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon

  • Odion Ighalo, Vincent Aboubakar, Ahmed Hegazi and others will be missed as top teams face title battle

Much has been said and written in Europe, especially England, about leading players leaving the top leagues to take part in the African Cup of Nations, which kicks off on Jan. 9.

However, it is not all about Liverpool missing Mohamed Salah, Riyad Mahrez leaving Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain saying goodbye to Achraf Hakimi.

Saudi Arabian teams also will be without their African stars as they head to Cameroon to compete for the continent’s biggest prize.

The tournament may well have an influence on a Saudi Pro League title race that is shaping up to be a thrilling contest. Two of the top tier’s biggest and best strikers will be absent at a crucial time.

For one, the league’s leading goalscorer has been called up by Nigeria. Odion Ighalo has found the target 10 times already this season as Al-Shabab have recovered from a poor start and won eight of the last nine league games to move into second place behind Al-Ittihad.

The former Manchester United striker was last in action at the weekend, scoring the winning goal in a 4-3 win over Al-Ahli. There are reports that Everton and Newcastle United are interested in signing the 32-year-old this month in order to get their English Premier League campaigns back on track.

If he does help the Super Eagles to success then those rumors are likely to intensify. Al-Shabab fans will be happier than most if Nigeria exit the tournament early and they get their star player back.

There is more respite for defenses as Vincent Aboubakar will also be absent and lining up for the hosts instead of Al-Nassr.

The Cameroon striker has plenty of history at the tournament and famously scored a late goal that won the 2017 tournament for the Indomitable Lions against Egypt. The 29-year-old has been developing a promising understanding at his club with Anderson Talisca, and the pair contributed once more to win a crucial game on New Year’s Day at Al-Fateh that moved the team up to third and in sight of the leaders.

The leading team, Al-Ittihad, are also affected by the African Cup. The Tigers have been in great form of late and have reinforced with Moroccan marksman Abderrazzak Hamdallah.

Fans in Jeddah will be relieved that the two-time Saudi Pro League top scorer will not be in Cameroon. but will miss their talismanic Egyptian Ahmed Hegazi, who has been perhaps the best defender in the league over the past year. Even with Hegazi, the backline has been conceding too many goals of late — six in the last three games. Without him, however, coach Cosmin Contra faces even more work to keep Al-Ittihad in pole position.

The team with the greatest Saudi-based representation are Algeria with three. The defending champions having summoned two goalkeepers. Veteran Rais M’Bolhi had a good FIFA Arab Cup as the North Africans won the tournament and showed that he is a rock between the sticks for country as well as Ettifaq.

Moustapha Zeghba also heads west, leaving Damac behind. The surprise package of the league so far have dipped of late and the 31-year-old has conceded nine goals in the past three games. The former Al-Wehda man is unlikely to play in Cameroon, but will be missed back in the southwest corner of Saudi Arabia.

Another standout in the Arab Cup was Sofiane Bendebka. The midfielder made his senior international debut in 2016, but has played little part for Algeria since. He impressed in the opening game against Sudan and then went from strength to strength to become one of the players of the tournament.

The only regret is that it took the Al-Fateh man until he was 29 to show what he can do on the international stage. It will be fascinating to see what happens in the coming weeks and whether he gets the same minutes now Algeria have called a full-strength squad. 

Tunisia pushed Algeria to the end in the Arab Cup and have also dipped into the Saudi Pro League. Naim Sliti has been an important player for the North Africans and has been looking good for Ettifaq. Tunisia have a passable group and it may be some time before Sliti returns to his club. 

Julio Tavares will definitely be missed. Al-Faisaly are struggling at the wrong end of the table, despite the 33-year-old having scored six goals already to add to 15 from last year. If Tavares can take his domestic shooting boots to Africa then finishing above Ethiopia and Burkina Faso is possible.

Knowledge Musona is just as important to Al-Tai, though the team are looking solid enough in eighth place. The Zimbabwean has netted five goals in 12 league games, a third of his team’s total. His scoring record for the Warriors is as impressive and the 31-year-old will be needed against Senegal, Malawi and Guinea.

Ghana always have ambitions of reaching the final stages of the tournament and there may be a part to play for Samuel Owusu. The winger has been a fringe player for the Black Stars, but has been in good form for Al-Feiha since making his international debut in 2019.

It remains to be seen which of these stars shine in Cameroon, but it is certain that some will have an impact at the African Cup of Nations — just as it is certain that their absence will have an impact in the Saudi Pro League.


Heat suspend Jimmy Butler again, this time 2 games for missing flight and ‘insubordinate conduct’

Updated 59 min 48 sec ago
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Heat suspend Jimmy Butler again, this time 2 games for missing flight and ‘insubordinate conduct’

  • Butler told the Heat in recent weeks that he wants a trade

Jimmy Butler was suspended by the Miami Heat for the second time in three weeks, a move that adds to the possibility he has already played his final game for the franchise.
Butler drew the latest suspension — this one will last two games — for what the team in a statement Wednesday night called a “continued pattern of disregard of team rules, insubordinate conduct and conduct detrimental to the team,” including missing the Heat’s flight to Milwaukee earlier in the day. The Heat were scheduled to play the Bucks on Thursday and at Brooklyn on Saturday.
The earliest Butler could play for the Heat again is Monday, at home against Orlando. And that would hinge on him still being on the roster, which seems far from guaranteed.
In Milwaukee on Thursday, where the Heat were prepping for the game against the Bucks, Miami coach Erik Spoelstra wouldn’t discuss Butler specifically. But when asked about how to pivot quickly in the league when change comes, Spoelstra spoke plenty.
“The point that I’ve made to our team is get used to it. Get over it,” Spoelstra said. “This is the NBA life. This is the life we chose. If you think it’s just going to be predictable, you’re really mistaken. I think it takes a mental fortitude and commitment just to focus on the task at hand. Nothing changes in terms of what the task is. We have a game tonight. We have enough continuity. We know what our identity is at this point.”
Butler told the Heat in recent weeks that he wants a trade, a demand he has not made publicly because league rules do not allow players to do so. Any player who makes such a demand known is risking a fine of up to $150,000.
But the Heat revealed that request when suspending him in early January for what they called conduct detrimental to the team, and said at that time that they will work to accommodate his trade request.
The NBA’s trade deadline is Feb. 6.
Butler was banished for seven games earlier this month, costing him about $2.4 million in salary. Butler returned last week and has played in each of the last three Miami games, averaging 13.0 points in 29.3 minutes.
The Heat left for Milwaukee around 2:15 p.m. Wednesday. That departure time is earlier than Miami leaves for most of its trips, and it’s unclear if that was a factor for Butler.
The dates for the scheduled games on this Heat road trip coincide with a padel tournament in Miami, one that lists Butler as an honorary chairman and co-captain. Butler’s coffee company, Big Face, is also involved with the event. But it was not known if Butler planned on being present for that event in Miami and if that had anything to do with him missing the flight to Milwaukee.
Butler’s expected breakup with the Heat has been brewing for several weeks, if not months. The primary issue that caused the fracture in the relationship was money; he’s eligible for a two-year, $113 million extension and the Heat never offered such a deal, largely because he’s missed about 25 percent of the team’s games since he arrived in 2019.
There were other factors. Butler has made no secret that he’s not happy with what he says is his new role within the Heat offense. He didn’t participate in his usual way during the introduction of the Heat starters for the last three games, and he has sat by himself at times during timeouts while not engaging in the huddle going on around the bench.
“There was a lot said by everybody, except for me, to tell you the truth,” Butler said after his first game back following the suspension. “We’ll let people keep talking. ... The whole truth will come out.”
The latest chapter of the Butler-Heat saga comes one day after Phoenix swung a deal with Utah to acquire three first-round draft picks that the Suns are expected to use as pieces in another trade — presumably one that would bring Butler to them. Such a deal for Butler would be complicated for the Suns, and likely would involve at least three and possibly even more teams to make all the pieces fit.
The Butler trade watch has gone on for weeks, and his hair color for some December games just happened to match the primary colors of Phoenix, Dallas, Golden State and Houston — the four teams that were most prominently mentioned as possible trade partners for Miami.
And for Tuesday’s game against Portland, Butler wore shoes tinged in orange — perfectly matching the Suns’ color scheme.
 


Son helps Spurs hold off Hoffenheim in Europa League

Updated 23 January 2025
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Son helps Spurs hold off Hoffenheim in Europa League

  • Goals from Son and James Maddison lifted Spurs up to provisional fourth
  • It also lifted some of the heat off manager Ange Postecoglou with his injury-ravaged team

PARIS: Son Heung-min helped Tottenham gain some respite from their Premier League woes on Thursday with a double in a 3-2 Europa League win at Hoffenheim to put them on course for the knockout rounds.
Goals from Son and James Maddison lifted Spurs up to provisional fourth in the revamped league phase of European club football’s second-tier competition ahead of the night’s later games.
It also lifted some of the heat off manager Ange Postecoglou with his injury-ravaged team arriving in Germany after losing seven of their last Premier League games.
Postecoglou had pledged to win silverware for the first time for the London side since 2008 in his second season as boss.
With Spurs struggling in 15th behind Liverpool at home that leaves the Europa League, FA Cup and League Cup to fulfil his promise.
A win against Swedish outfit Elfsborg in their closing league phase game at home next week will give them an automatic ticket to the next round as one of the top eight finishers.
“I told them to enjoy it,” Postecoglou told TNT Sports.
“Winning away in Europe, it’s a significant victory for us and gives us a good foothold to get into those top eight spots which will give us a week off,” the Australian added.
They charged out of the stalls with Maddison receiving a pinpoint pass from Pedro Porro to fire the ball past keeper Oliver Baumann and into the roof of the net to give Spurs the perfect start after just four minutes.
Richarlison, making only his second start of the campaign, could have doubled the advantage but the Brazilian’s shot went straight to Baumann.
Attacking at will Spurs were looking to put the game to bed against their out of sorts German hosts.
And on 22 minutes Maddison turned provider to set up Son whose shot deflected off a defender, the ball flying over Baumann and into the far corner.
The big problem for Spurs given their leaky defense was to hold onto their superiority.
Brandon Austin started in goal for them, two weeks after making his debut, and was called on to make a full-stretched save to deny Tom Bischof as half-time beckoned.
VAR overturned a penalty decision to Hoffenheim after the hour when Austin collided into Max Moerstedt.
With the wind in their sails Hoffenheim halved their deficit minutes later when Spurs got caught on the counter, Anton Stach toeing the ball past Austin.
But Son’s angled shot with 13 minutes left on the clock settled the issue, although David Mokwa’s goal two minutes from normal time meant another nerve-jangling ending for Tottenham’s long-suffering supporters.
Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce drew 0-0 at third-placed Lyon to lift the Turkish side provisionally 19th and the door open to make the play-offs.
In the 2000 GMT kick-offs Manchester United host Rangers and table toppers Lazio play Real Sociedad.
Two Real Sociedad fans were taken to hospital after their group was apparently attacked by hardcore Lazio supporters ahead of the match at the Olympic stadium in Rome, the Spanish club said.


Bayern’s Davies ruled out ‘for time being’ with hamstring tear

Updated 23 January 2025
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Bayern’s Davies ruled out ‘for time being’ with hamstring tear

  • Bayern said scans confirmed the Canada international “sustained a muscle strain in his left hamstring”
  • Davies could also miss Bayern’s Champions League playoffs in February

MUNICH: Bayern Munich defender Alphonso Davies is set for a stint on the sidelines after he was diagnosed with a torn muscle, the German club said in a statement on Thursday.
Davies, 24, was subbed out in first-half stoppage time in Wednesday’s 3-0 loss to Feyenoord.
Bayern said scans confirmed the Canada international “sustained a muscle strain in his left hamstring” and “would be absent for the time being.”
The club did not indicate how long Davies will miss but he will be in doubt for the trip to defending champions Bayer Leverkusen on February 15.
Davies could also miss Bayern’s Champions League playoffs in February, should the German giants fail to qualify for the top eight.
Wednesday’s loss to Feyenoord leaves Bayern with 12 points in 15th spot on the Champions League table, one point behind eighth-placed Leverkusen.
In the Bundesliga, Bayern sit four points clear of Leverkusen atop the table.


Japan football star Yui Hasegawa on life at Man City, her career so far and future goals

Updated 23 January 2025
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Japan football star Yui Hasegawa on life at Man City, her career so far and future goals

  • Hasegawa admits the club is going through a tough period with injuries, but is still hopeful they can secure some silverware this season
  • The Japan international is considered one of the best footballers in the world and is a pivotal figure on Gareth Taylor’s squad

ABU DHABI: On the back of a productive warm-weather training camp in Abu Dhabi, Manchester City women’s team have had a mixed bag of results, dropping to fourth in the Women’s Super League, while also advancing to the semifinals of the League Cup.
After going unbeaten in the first 10 games of their 2024-2025 campaign, City have been rocked by a spate of injuries with Dutch summer signing Vivianne Miedema and England international Lauren Hemp both undergoing knee surgeries, and WSL lead-scorer Khadija Shaw sustaining a lower leg injury that has sidelined her since early December.
City’s recent derby loss to Manchester United may have all but ended their WSL title hopes, but they still have plenty to play for in the Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup, while chasing a top-two finish in the WSL to secure a place in Europe next season.
Japanese star midfielder Yui Hasegawa admits the club is going through a tough period with injuries, but is still hopeful they can secure some silverware this season.
Hasegawa, 27, joined City from West Ham in September 2022 on a three-year deal and signed a contract extension last January that will keep her at the Academy Stadium until the summer of 2027.
The Japan international is considered one of the best footballers in the world and is a pivotal figure on Gareth Taylor’s squad.
Arab News recently caught up with Hasegawa at Emirates Palace to discuss her career, her time at Manchester City, and her goals for the future with both club and country.
Q: You’ve played in Japan, Italy and the UK, so you have experience seeing the development of women’s football across the globe. In your opinion, what is the state of women’s football right now compared to when you first entered?
YH: When I started playing football, I knew how big football was in the US and I was very inspired and fascinated by the American soccer community. However, when I started high school, I started to know how amazing the European football leagues are, and I really wanted to join them. Now, I’m with one of the biggest club teams and I’m extremely happy. I’m still going to try my best in my football career.
Q: What was the biggest challenge that you faced when you first left Japan and went to play football at AC Milan in Italy?
YH: When I first went to Italy, the biggest challenge was the language and also the cultural difference. The football culture in Italy was also very different from what I was used to and I couldn’t really play in my own style. The relation with my surroundings was different. It was still football but different football. I couldn’t play the best in my own style. I faced a lot of challenges; I couldn’t really connect with the people around me either. However, because I went to Italy, now I feel like I have improved and grown from that challenge as well.
Q: What is life like for you in England and what is your experience like with Manchester City so far?
YH: When I played in Italy or West Ham, I always had this dream of playing for Manchester City and being with this club. I can really play in my own style. I’m very, very happy. I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity. For the lifestyle, I have two other Japanese players on the same team, so the three of us cook together and eat Japanese food. I’m really happy with the changes.
Q: When you talk about your style of football, how do you describe it? I read in an interview that you are a big fan of Andres Iniesta, and I’m curious; are you inspired by his style or how do you describe your own style?
YH: Of course, Iniesta was my inspiration. He has great technique. He can go against the opponents, he contributes to a goal when it is really important, he leads his teammates to bring to the goal, all these are things that I like. That’s how he inspired me. My style is that I want the audience to really enjoy my football and also lately I’m not just contributing to the offense; I think my strength is that I’m contributing to the defense as well. I’m trying to develop more a sharp sense of prediction.
Q: How confident are you in City’s chances of claiming silverware this season?
YH: The stage of my team at the moment; there are some injured players, so I realize that it might be difficult but I want to take it one game at a time and I am determined to win each game. I’m very confident. As a team as a whole, we are determined to win every game from now on.
Q: After England won the Euros, did you feel that the attention in women’s football in the UK has gotten bigger?
YH: I do feel so. Compared to West Ham, I feel like there is a lot more attention on me being at Manchester City and I feel that this team, the players individually, are all stars and each one of them have their own fans. I also noticed that a lot of children always call their names. I feel that the result is very, very important from the Euros.
Q: When you started playing football in Japan, there was no professional women’s league. What gave you the idea that this is something you wanted to pursue, even though you didn’t even have a professional league to look up to?
YH: When I started playing football when I was young, I always watched the men’s game. I didn’t know if there was a professional league in Japan but I just wanted to go pro. When I grew up to junior high school age, I was very surprised that there are women players that work for a company and they play in the company league. So I felt like even if this is my path, I wanted to continue playing football. And now, it’s my profession and I’m very grateful and I want to enjoy what I do.
Q: In Japan, there are some big names in women’s sport right now. There is someone like you, who is one of the best midfielders in the world. There is Naomi Osaka. How do you feel to be part of this generation of strong Japanese women in sport?
YH: I still wonder if I’m actually part of this group of Japanese star athletes, but I feel like outside of Japan, I get more recognized and valued, especially last year and this year. I feel that maybe in Japanese culture, female athletes are still not as valued in Japan. But I just want to be a female athlete that children can be inspired by and I want to bring good results as well.
Q: How much have you heard about the football scene in this part of the world for women? In Saudi Arabia, they are putting a lot of effort into the league over there and there is an Asian Champions League now as well, featuring a team from Abu Dhabi. Are you following much and how do you see the room for growth for women’s football in this region?
YH: I recognize that women’s football in the Middle East is still developing and women aren’t necessarily at the forefront. If I can contribute to making that place recognizable for female athletes, I would really love to contribute, and I would like to help in every way that I can and make a place to make female athletes more valued, not only in football but in sports in general.
Q: What are your biggest goals and dreams with Japan and with Manchester City?
YH: With Man City, of course winning the league is my goal at the moment. I have always wanted to play in the Champions League and in my favorite style of playing football, so winning the Champions League would be a goal for me as well. As for Japan, we have a new foreign coach for the first time (Danish coach Nils Nielsen) and we would like to bring back that 2011 (World Cup) winning moment once again. I would also like to contribute to the improvement of football culture in Japan.


Pit Boost to debut at inaugural Jeddah E-Prix on Feb. 14-15

Updated 23 January 2025
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Pit Boost to debut at inaugural Jeddah E-Prix on Feb. 14-15

  • Feature will showcase EV ultra-fast charging technology, add thrilling new dimension to select Formula E races
  • Formula E co-founder says Pit Boost will challenge teams, drivers to make high-stakes decisions under intense pressure

JEDDAH: The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship is set to revolutionize the race-day experience with the launch of Pit Boost, a new feature debuting at the inaugural Jeddah E-Prix at Jeddah Corniche Circuit on Feb. 14-15.
Designed to enhance strategy, unpredictability and fan engagement, Pit Boost will showcase EV ultra-fast charging technology while adding a thrilling new dimension to select Formula E races across Season 11.
Alberto Longo, co-founder and chief championship officer, Formula E, said: “After an extensive testing and simulation process, we’re pleased to finally present this game-changing technology to the world. It marks one of the most ambitious and impactful additions not just to our series, but also to modern-day motorsport.”
Pit Boost will challenge teams and drivers alike to make high-stakes decisions under intense pressure, he added.
“The potential for dramatic overtakes, unexpected twists and human ingenuity will elevate the excitement for our fans, and showcase Formula E and the FIA’s relentless commitment to innovation,” Longo said in a statement on Thursday.
Marek Nawarecki, senior circuit sport director, FIA, said: “This pioneering new feature will add another strategic element to the sport.”
What is Pit Boost?
Pit Boost is an innovative mid-race feature that provides a 10 percent energy increase (3.85 kilowatt-hours) to race cars through a 30-second, 600kW rapid recharge in the pitlane. The mandatory sporting feature — deploying more than double the power of current consumer superchargers — adds another strategic element during select races, with the potential to dramatically alter race outcomes and tactics.
Strategic racing impact
Pit Boost is set to redefine race strategies in Formula E. Drivers and teams will have to weigh the benefits of an energy boost against the risk of losing track position during the pit stop. Choosing the optimal moment for their Pit Boost will be pivotal, introducing heightened stakes and an extra layer of drama to every race.
As the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship continues to lead the charge in advancing electric mobility, Pit Boost highlights the rapid progress in EV charging technology. The innovation addresses one of the key challenges in EV adoption — charging speed and time — and demonstrates Formula E’s unique position as a “race-to-road” technology platform.