Al Ahli recall teenage defender for AFC Champions League Elite clash

Al Ahli head coach Marino Pusic is set to include Aboubacar Sidiki Kinteh in his squad for the first time this season when the Saudi club host Al Gharafa of Qatar in the AFC Champions League Elite.

The match will take place on Monday at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, with Al Ahli looking to strengthen their position in the league phase.

According to Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadiyah, 19-year-old Gambian defender Kinteh will be named in the squad after finally recovering from injury.

Kinteh joined Al Ahli during the summer transfer window from Norwegian club Tromso, signing a five-year contract. However, he has not been included in a matchday squad since arriving at the club.

The defender suffered a torn thigh muscle during Al Ahli’s overseas pre-season training camp, ruling him out of Pusic’s plans for the opening part of the campaign.

His recovery now gives the Dutch manager another defensive option as Al Ahli prepare for a demanding fixture against Al Gharafa. Kinteh’s return could prove particularly useful because the team have regularly had to deal with absences in defence.

The latest player affected is Turkey international Merih Demiral, whose absence has added to the pressure on Al Ahli’s defensive resources.

Al Ahli enter Monday’s game fifth in the West section of the AFC Champions League Elite league phase with four points from two matches. They have recorded one win and one draw and are two points behind the four teams sharing the lead.

A place in the squad would mark Kinteh’s first involvement for Al Ahli since his summer move and provide the teenager with an opportunity to make his competitive debut for the club.