Inzaghi clears Bono’s absence for Al Fateh clash: what’s really going on with Al Hilal’s goalkeeper
21 November 2025
The Italian coach Simone Inzaghi, head coach of Al Hilal, clarified Bono’s absence from the upcoming match against Al Fateh in the Saudi Pro League. The game is set to take place at Kingdom Arena on Saturday, as part of round nine, with the Moroccan goalkeeper reportedly set to be on the bench for the affair.
Inzaghi spoke at a press conference, explaining that Bono has been out of training due to attending the CAF Awards in Rabat, where he was honored as Africa’s Best Goalkeeper 2025. He will be present for the tomorrow’s game, the coach added, underscoring that the squad remains focused on a important two-game week against the same opponent.
Bono absence confirmed
Inzaghi stated that “all players attended yesterday’s training, except Bono,” and that the team will face Al Fateh, a side they will meet twice in the space of a week. He also noted that the other upcoming clash between the teams will take place at the Kingdom Arena in the King’s Cup quarterfinal next week.
Regarding Bono’s missing training, Inzaghi explained that the goalkeeper was delayed by attendance at awards ceremonies, but he will be available for the next-day match against Al Fateh. Bono’s Africa Cup of Nations accolade ceremony in Rabat, where he beat out other top keepers, capped off a standout season as he continues to be a central figure for the club.
Inzaghi urged fans to continue backing the team, especially as Bono’s absence is just a temporary setback in a busy period for the squad.
The Fath match and squad depth
Turning to the opponent, Inzaghi discussed the challenge posed by Al Fateh, a side managed by Portuguese coach Jose Gomes and currently fighting through a tough campaign. He praised Fateh’s talent, noting that they are capable of hurting teams with a strong attack, even though they sit in a precarious position in the table.
Al Fateh lie fifteenth in the Saudi Pro League with five points, earned from one win and two draws, alongside five defeats. The coach highlighted that Fateh remains a dangerous opponent capable of springing surprises while remaining hungry for points as they push to climb the standings.
Fixture pressure and FIFA days
On the fixture congestion surrounding the international break, Inzaghi explained that the break helped the squad recharge and refine physical conditioning. He noted improvements with nine players lifting their conditioning during the pause, and a number of players from the Olympic team training with the first team during the period.
He added that two or three players from the Olympic age groups are likely to feature in the upcoming match after the break, underscoring the club’s depth. He commended all available players for their efforts during the demanding period and stressed the importance of maintaining squad balance amid a tight schedule.
Inzaghi also outlined the squad’s defensive lineup issues, pointing to the right-back position as a work in progress. Joao Cancelo is not registered in the local squad list, while Hamad Al-Yami is sidelined with an injury, and Meteb Al-Harbi has often filled the role in recent matches. He concluded by asking fans to keep turning out in numbers to support the team at all venues, home and away.
Bono’s season highlights
In terms of personal performance, Bono played in more than 90% of Al Hilal’s matches during the 2024-2025 season, featuring in 49 games while conceding 58 goals and keeping 16 clean sheets. By comparison, the 2023-2024 campaign saw him appearing in 45 games, conceding 30 goals and recording 20 shutouts, underscoring a season of high-impact performances for the Moroccan goalkeeper.
Though the raw numbers show Bono’s steadiness, it’s his World Cup Club performances that have captured global attention. The Club World Cup in the United States this summer featured Bono repeatedly coming up with critical saves, helping his side reach the knockout rounds on a few dramatic nights.
Against Real Madrid in the group stage, Bono denied a penalty from the Uruguayan icon Valverde, preserving a valuable result and momentum for the team. His late reflexes against Salzburg and Pachuca further cemented his status as a key tall guardian for the club’s campaign in the tournament, while a late, heroic save in the round of 16 against Savinho of Manchester City drew praise from observers worldwide.
Although Al Hilal exited the tournament after Flamengo’s run in the knockout stages, Bono’s performances were widely celebrated by football fans and media alike. FIFA and other football accounts highlighted his spectacular saves as a defining factor of the team’s competitive edge this season.
Punchline time: Bono’s gloves apparently have a fan club, and the net is their stadium. Punchline two: with Bono in goal, even VAR would request a signed autographed photo after the final whistle.
