Al-Ahli welcome back Edouard Mendy after 56-day injury absence

Al-Ahli have been boosted by the return of Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, who is available again after recovering from a knee sprain suffered at the World Cup 56 days ago.

Mendy sustained the injury during Senegal’s match against Norway on 23 June, in the second round of the group stage. The goalkeeper was forced to miss the remainder of Senegal’s campaign after suffering a knee ligament sprain.

Saudi newspaper Al Riyadiyah reported that Mendy has now completed his recovery and is ready to feature when Al-Ahli face Abha in the Saudi league.

His return comes after he missed Al-Ahli’s opening league fixture against Al-Diriyah. Al-Ahli began the season with a 1-0 victory in that match, but Mendy was not involved as he continued his rehabilitation.

Mendy’s injury had interrupted his World Cup involvement at a crucial stage for Senegal. He played against Norway on 23 June, but was subsequently ruled out of the rest of the tournament.

Senegal were eventually eliminated from the World Cup in the round of 32 after losing to Belgium.

The goalkeeper’s availability will provide Al-Ahli with an experienced option as the club continue their Saudi league campaign under new manager Marino Pusic. The Dutchman took charge in place of German coach Matthias Jaissle, who moved on to manage Newcastle.

Al-Ahli’s return to winning ways in their first league match means they head into the meeting with Abha with a positive result already secured, while Mendy’s recovery gives Pusic another important selection option.

The club had been without their Senegal international since the World Cup injury, but his return to training and reported readiness to play means he could make his comeback against Abha. The fixture will be the first opportunity for Mendy to resume competitive football since the match in which he was injured.

Mendy joined Al-Ahli’s preparations for the new Saudi league season after completing his recovery from the knee problem. His absence had left the club without one of their established international players for the opening fixture, although Al-Ahli still secured all three points against Al-Diriyah.

The goalkeeper now returns as Al-Ahli begin a new phase under Pusic, with the club having changed managers after Jaissle’s departure for Newcastle. His comeback also follows Senegal’s early exit from the World Cup, where the injury prevented him from playing in the team’s remaining matches after the defeat of Norway.