Al Ahli director Osama Hawsawi insists Saudi giants ‘not a finished project’ ahead of Mamelodi Sundowns clash

Saudi club have invested heavily in recruitment, player development and infrastructure as they target sustained success

Al Ahli acting sporting director Osama Hawsawi says the Saudi Arabian club’s transformation is far from complete as they target sustained success domestically and on the international stage.

The Jeddah-based side arrived in South Africa on Wednesday ahead of their Intercontinental Cup clash against Mamelodi Sundowns at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday.

Al Ahli have undergone significant changes since 2023, with substantial investment directed towards their football operations, recruitment, performance structures, facilities and academy.

“A lot has changed in a relatively short period, but we don’t see this as a finished project,” Hawsawi said.

“We want to build a club that can compete year after year, and that means improving what happens behind the scenes as well as what people see on the pitch.”

The club’s transformation has been reflected in the quality of players assembled, with Édouard Mendy, Roger Ibañez, Merih Demiral, Galeno, Francisco Trincão and Ivan Toney among the international names in the squad.

Hawsawi, however, says Al Ahli’s ambitions extend beyond assembling a squad capable of winning immediately, with the club working to establish structures that can support success over several years.

Al Ahli target smarter recruitment

Hawsawi highlighted the club’s changing approach to recruitment, saying Al Ahli are placing greater emphasis on data and analysis while retaining traditional scouting methods.

“We want to be smarter in the market,” he said.

“It is about understanding exactly what the team needs and identifying players who fit Al Ahli. The aim is to build a system that consistently finds the right players.”

The club has sought to combine established international stars with players capable of contributing to its long-term ambitions.

Riyad Mahrez has played a key role in Al Ahli’s recent progress, while Trincão arrived with experience of competing at the highest level of European football.

Hawsawi said the objective is to create a recruitment structure capable of identifying players who fit the club’s specific needs rather than relying solely on established reputations.

That strategy forms part of a wider overhaul of the football department, with Al Ahli also investing in areas that directly affect player performance.

Focus shifts to player development

Facilities, physical performance, recovery, match analysis and sports nutrition have all received increased attention as the club seeks to create an environment capable of supporting elite players.

First-team sports nutritionist Dr Nessan Costello works with players on individual requirements based on their body composition as part of the club’s approach to performance.

“If you expect elite performances from players, you have to give them an elite environment every day,” Hawsawi said.

“A lot of that work isn’t necessarily visible to supporters, but it can make a real difference over a season.”

The investment also extends to the academy, which Hawsawi considers central to Al Ahli’s long-term plans.

While the club continues to pursue international talent, he believes developing Saudi players must remain a major part of its identity.

“The academy has always been important to Al Ahli,” Hawsawi said.

“An elite club shouldn’t only be judged by the players it signs but by the players it develops. We want young Saudi players to see a genuine route into the first team.”

Sundowns test Al Ahli’s ambitions

Al Ahli’s meeting with Mamelodi Sundowns offers another test of the progress made under the club’s wider transformation.

The Intercontinental Cup encounter brings together two prominent clubs from Saudi Arabia and South Africa, two football markets that have invested heavily in developing their domestic game and strengthening their clubs.

For Al Ahli, the match provides an opportunity to measure themselves against opposition from outside Asia while continuing their push for greater international recognition.

Hawsawi stressed, however, that the club’s ambitions cannot be measured by a single match or transfer window.

Al Ahli want to compete consistently for major domestic and international trophies while establishing themselves among the leading clubs in the region and, ultimately, on the global stage.

“This match gives Al Ahli another chance to test itself against leading opposition from outside Asia,” Hawsawi said.

“Recent seasons have demonstrated how quickly Al Ahli can change. The next challenge is ensuring the structures around the team develop at the same pace.”