Roshn Saudi League clubs face key fixture clashes over Asian and African awards

Roshn Saudi League clubs are facing a difficult scheduling period, with the Asian and African Player of the Year awards ceremonies set to take place within three weeks of several important league matches.

The league’s governing body recently announced an updated fixture list through to the end of next season. The changes followed the postponement of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, which has been moved from January to December next year.

Among the most significant amendments is the rearranged clasico between Al Ahli and Al Nassr. The match, originally postponed from the ninth round, will now be played on 20 November at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah.

That date falls one day after the Asian awards ceremony, which will be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on 19 November. Al Hilal’s Salem Al-Dawsari and Al Ahli forward Firas Al-Birakan are both expected to be involved.

The revised schedule presents a particular dilemma for Al-Birakan. While he will be hoping to win the Asian Player of the Year award for the first time in his career, attending the ceremony could leave him unavailable for Al Ahli’s league clasico against Al Nassr.

Al Nassr are also affected by the African awards, which have been brought forward to 2 December from 7 December. The ceremony will take place in Lagos, Nigeria.

Several Roshn Saudi League players are among the nominees and expected attendees, including Al Nassr forward Sadio Mane, as well as Al Hilal goalkeeper Yassine Bounou and Al Ahli goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.

The new date is especially problematic for Bounou because Al Hilal are due to host a closely watched derby against Al-Diriyah the following day. The fixture is part of the 14th round of the Roshn Saudi League.

Only two days after the awards ceremony, Al Nassr, who count Mane among their squad, are scheduled to face Al Qadsiah in another high-profile match. On the same round of fixtures, Al Ahli will play Al Faisaly, with Mendy potentially involved in the African ceremony before returning to club duty.

The players therefore face a choice between attending the Lagos event in the hope of claiming one of Africa’s leading individual awards and preparing for important matches immediately afterwards with their Roshn Saudi League clubs.