Saudi Media Erupts as Pundits Rally Behind Nawaf Al-Aqidi After Egypt Scare
29 March 2026
Saudi Media Firestorm After Al-Aqidi Criticism
In a televised outburst, the famous Saudi media figure Turki Al-Ajmah fired back after the harsh backlash toward Nawaf Al-Aqidi, the Green's goalkeeper, following the shock 4-0 loss to Egypt on Friday night.
Al-Aqidi's mistakes on the goals conceded drew intense scrutiny from many pundits, with veteran host Walid Al-Farraj joining the chorus and others underperforming.
On the show "Kora," Al-Ajmah warned that some journalists seem intent on Saudi defeat to prove a point, an observation he made as criticism of Al-Dosari and more recently of Al-Aqidi spread online.
He added that the attacks on Al-Aqidi are wildly exaggerated and that while patriotism is never in question, some voices appear here by chance, lacking real value, and not hesitating to attack the national team regardless of merit.
No player deliberately commits errors in football, he noted; errors happen, and what matters is response, learning, and correction in upcoming matches.
Turning to the national team’s manager Hervé Renard, Al-Ajmah argued that the coach's presence has little tangible impact, noting he is prone to mood swings, travels on his own schedule, and only appears in select moments; when attacked, he often defends himself by pointing to the World Cup qualification achieved under his leadership.
“If I were in charge,” he claimed, “I would rely on a modern qualification system and, ideally, appoint a native coach to lead the Green at the World Cup.”
He also touched on the federation’s leadership, insisting that journalists pursue victories and shared joy rather than personal gain, with only rare exceptions.
“Ultimately, I hope your perspectives align with truth and that we all learn from missteps—our bond is the team’s best interest,” he added, reframing accountability as a collective mission.
On Renard again, Al-Ajmah insisted the coach does not materially influence results; his authority is seen as situational and frequently invoked to explain the team’s progress, including their World Cup berth.
The segment closed with a provocative invitation: the writer hinted that a homegrown coach might be better suited to steer the Green through future World Cup campaigns, especially amid changes in qualification protocols.
Beyond the airs and echoes, the broader debate centers on professional media ethics, national ambition, and the practicalities of building a resilient squad as the World Cup 2026 looms on the horizon.
PUNCHLINE 1: If criticism were a sport, Turki would lead the league; if laughs counted as goals, we’d still be scoreless—because football drama is serious business.
PUNCHLINE 2: They say success is a team effort; apparently some pundits treat it as a solo act—just add a mic and a crowd and watch the drama unfold.
