Loan Roulette in Saudi Football: Al-Fateh’s Quiet Play for Hamdallah Amid AFCON 2025 Chaos
15 November 2025
Al-Fateh, a Saudi Pro League club, is considering the possibility of signing Moroccan forward Abdul Razak Hamdallah on a loan deal to cover potential gaps caused by the Africa Cup of Nations 2025.
The AFCON tournament will take place in Morocco from December 21 to January 18, featuring 32 teams. Saudi clubs face a congested schedule as players head to national duties, with some expected to miss up to eight league matches if their teams reach the final.
AFCON Disruption and Its Impact
Al-Fateh could be forced to navigate the winter stretch without several key players, intensifying the drama around the league’s frontline options while other clubs watch closely for loan market movements.
Loan Route as a Solution
To shore up squad depth, the club is weighing loan deals with players from the Saudi Pro League, both domestically and abroad. A permanent winter signing is unlikely due to financial constraints, so an easy, temporary fix is being prioritized to keep the squad competitive during the Africa Cup of Nations window.
The plan emphasizes strengthening the bench rather than tying up funds on long-term deals, a pragmatic approach given the calendar and budget realities.
Hamdallah and Other Linkages
Among the names under consideration on a loan basis is Moroccan striker Abdul Razak Hamdallah from Al-Shabab, who has long figured in Al-Fateh’s transfer chatter.
Hamdallah’s form this season has been inconsistent, largely due to injuries. He has appeared in only four league games and has yet to score, though he has recorded one assist.
Speculation has swirled about his future after the arrival of Spanish coach Immanuel Alguacil, with talk of a possible departure and interest from several Saudi clubs, including Al-Fateh.
Public statements from club officials have sought to quell rumors, noting Hamdallah’s schedule was aligned with team plans while injuries kept him off the pitch. He remains one of the Saudi league’s most prolific scorers, ranking second on the all-time goals list with 150 goals, five behind Omar Suma.
Al-Fateh’s loan approach is not limited to Hamdallah; Abdullah Rateef of Al-Hilal has also been mentioned as a potential loan target to bolster frontline options during AFCON disruption.
Discussions are expected to take place when Al-Fateh’s delegation travels to Riyadh to meet the league champions, ahead of the ninth round’s clash at the Kingdom Arena. The club could also explore bringing in other midfield or attacking options if they become available during the window.
Ultimately, the decision on any deal rests with the head coach, who will determine whether players leave on loan or stay and compete for places. And yes, the transfer rumor mill will probably keep spinning—because in football, even a snowball knows how to roll into a season’s drama.
And for good measure, if this loan saga were a joke, the punchline would be that the ball’s in the air longer than some players’ fitness charts. Keep your popcorn handy.
