Bento under pressure as Al-Nassr fans call for Nwaf Al-Aqidi recall

Brazilian goalkeeper Bento has come under renewed criticism from Al-Nassr supporters after his mistake allowed Abha back into Wednesday’s 2-1 victory in the sixth round of the Roshn Saudi League.

Al-Nassr had been in control and looking to see out the match when Abha reduced the deficit in the 75th minute. French midfielder Nabil Fekir struck a deceptive direct free-kick, but Bento failed to deal with the effort and the ball found its way into the net.

The goal was significant for Abha as it was their first direct free-kick goal in a Saudi Pro League match since Saad Bguir scored against Al-Shabab in October 2023.

For Al-Nassr supporters, however, the incident was viewed as another addition to a series of errors since Bento joined the club in the summer of 2024. His latest mistake has revived questions over whether he can provide the reliability expected of a goalkeeper at a club competing for major honours.

Criticism intensified on X after the final whistle, with some fans holding Bento responsible for the goal and calling for him to be rested. Several supporters urged Australian manager Ange Postecoglou to restore Saudi goalkeeper Nwaf Al-Aqidi to the starting XI.

One post said: “We were doing well until this idiot opened the goal for them and they scored the first one. Then came [Mohamed] Simakan’s mistake too. Thankfully we got away with it, otherwise we would now be consoling each other. Stand up, Bento, or we will put you on the bench next to Nwaf and make Al-Nafie our goalkeeper.”

Another simply stated: “Bento is messing around.”

A further comment argued that Al-Aqidi would have received much harsher treatment for making the same mistake because he is a Saudi and a domestic player. It added that Bento was not significantly better than Al-Aqidi and suggested the Saudi goalkeeper could develop into a stronger option if given the support of the fans.

Supporters also criticised Bento’s positioning and communication for Fekir’s free-kick. One post claimed he had not organised the defensive wall or asked it to cover the near side, had positioned himself incorrectly while standing on the goal line, and reacted too late to the shot.

“A goalkeeper must be a source of confidence for the defence and the loudest voice on the pitch,” the post said. “He cannot be this soft.”

Al-Aqidi has already received Postecoglou’s confidence this season, starting several matches despite Bento being available. That has kept the competition between the two goalkeepers open.

The concern among Al-Nassr fans is therefore no longer limited to one conceded goal. Although the team continues to win, they fear repeated individual errors in such a crucial position could become a serious problem when Al-Nassr reaches the more demanding stages of competition.

Bento still has the chance to respond on the pitch and demonstrate that he deserves to remain first choice, but the pressure on him has increased after Fekir’s free-kick, particularly with a ready domestic alternative waiting for an opportunity.