Al-Ahli goalkeeper Edouard Mendy has been ruled out of the much-anticipated clash against Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League, as confirmed by the club’s technical staff. The Senegalese international will be unavailable for Saturday’s showdown, leaving coach Matthias Jaissle without his first-choice goalkeeper for the high-stakes fixture on matchday six.
Mendy, who has been sidelined for several matches due to injury, was initially expected to return in time for the clash.
However, hopes of his recovery were dashed, and the former Chelsea shot-stopper is now set to be out of action until November.
His absence means that Abdulrahman Al-Sanbi will step in between the posts for Al-Ahli in what is widely regarded as one of the most crucial fixtures of the season.
The 31-year-old’s injury is a significant blow for Al-Ahli, who are currently seventh in the league with 7 points, trailing the top team, Al-Hilal, by eight points.
Already missing Mendy in their recent 1-0 loss to Al-Qadsiah and a 2-0 victory over Al-Wasl in the AFC Champions League Elite, the club had hoped for his timely return.
His absence is now confirmed, and the goalkeeper is expected to be out for at least four more weeks, a longer layoff than initially feared.
Mendy’s unavailability has also affected the Senegal national team.
Interim coach Pape Thiaw, filling in for Aliou Cissé, has not included him in the squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Malawi.
Instead, Thiaw has opted for three other goalkeepers: Mory Diaw (Clermont), Seny Dieng (Middlesbrough), and Cheikh Lo Ndoye (ASC Jaraaf), to handle the goalkeeping duties for Senegal.
Since joining Al-Ahli from Chelsea, Mendy has been a key figure for the club.
He has featured in seven matches this season, conceding seven goals, averaging one goal per game.
Despite the challenges, he has managed to keep two clean sheets, showcasing his skills and consistency when fit.
His commanding presence in goal will be sorely missed as Al-Ahli face Al-Hilal, who currently lead the league.
Al-Ahli’s coach Matthias Jaissle will now be hoping that Al-Sanbi, the backup goalkeeper, can step up to the occasion in what will undoubtedly be a stern test against Al-Hilal, who are in red-hot form.
With Mendy out of action for the next few weeks, the club’s medical team will focus on his rehabilitation, aiming for a return in November as Al-Ahli look to close the gap at the top of the Saudi Pro League standings.
Mendy’s absence not only impacts Al-Ahli’s defensive capabilities but also places additional pressure on the squad as they navigate a crucial stretch of the season without their star goalkeeper.
The team will be relying on their remaining players to rise to the challenge in a fixture that could shape the trajectory of their season.
As the countdown to Saturday’s fixture continues, Al-Ahli fans will be hoping that their team can deliver a strong performance against the league leaders, even without their reliable custodian, Edouard Mendy.
