Saudi Arabia is gearing up for a tough friendly against Africa’s champions, Ivory Coast, scheduled for Friday as part of preparations for the Arab Cup next month in Qatar.
The Green Falcons are also set to play a second friendly in November against Algeria, with French coach Hervé Renard seeking maximum tactical value from this camp as he readies the squad for the Arab World Cup and beyond.
Previous Encounters
Before facing Ivory Coast, Saudi Arabia had met several African nations mostly in friendlies and only a handful in official competition, a reminder that cross-continental tests are a regular feature of their calendar as they chase consistency.
Saudi’s upcoming match will mark the 60th competitive pairing with an African side, building on a history that has included many duels with varying outcomes.
The North African counterpart with the most meetings against the Green is Tunisia, accounting for seven encounters. Overall, the record against Africa remains mixed, with periodic successes and surprises along the way.
Alongside these African fixtures, fans have watched the Saudis engage in a broader series of Arab duels and World Cup qualifiers, with tactical lessons often drawn from each encounter.
Saudi History Against African Nations
Saudi Arabia has faced Zambia five times, securing three wins, one draw, and one loss, a reminder that small margins can tilt the balance in friendlies as well as qualifiers.
Matches with Senegal have produced two tight 3-2 results in favor of the Saudis in two friendlies from about two decades ago, underscoring the potential for dramatic finishes against African sides.
The Green have played Namibia twice, winning both, and Algeria four times, with two wins and two draws; their most recent meeting came in 2018 when Saudi won with two goals from Salman Al-Faraj and Yahya Al-Shehri, among others.
Against neighbor Tunisia, Saudi has recorded seven encounters with a historically tougher ledger—two wins, four wins for Tunisia, and one draw—highlighting the regional rivalry and the difficulty of beating the Carthage Eagles.
In total, the Saudi record against North African and sub-Saharan teams reflects resilience in some matchups and the need for tactical adjustments in others.
Arab Classic
The Saudi national team has also contested Egypt on six occasions, including a 2-1 victory in the group stage of the 2018 World Cup, among other results in friendlies and tournament play.
Saudi Arabia has two additional wins against Egypt, tied with three wins for the Pharaohs and a draw, including a memorable 5-1 victory in the 1999 FIFA Confederations Cup that remains a landmark for Saudis fans.
Other historic rivalries include two meetings with Ghana, where results were balanced, and multiple clashes with Cameroon and others that shaped the broader African context for Saudi football.
In total, Saudi Arabia’s African record spans numerous sides, including Zambia, Senegal, Namibia, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Ghana, and more, illustrating a long and varied history that informs current preparation strategies.
Green Readiness
On the injury front, Saudi captain and forward Salem Al-Dosari returned to training after missing Tuesday’s session, confirming his fitness for Friday’s match. Defender Jihad Dhakri, midfielder Ziyad Al-Johani, and winger Abdulrahman Al-Aboud were sidelined for medical reasons ranging from muscle fatigue to minor ailments.
The squad also welcomed fresh faces such as Sultan Mandash from Al-Taawoun and Murad Hosawi, a rising star at Al-Khaleej, who have drawn attention from several clubs in the Saudi Pro League and are expected to feature as competition for places in Renard’s squad.
Renard’s approach remains to blend experience with young talent, using these friendlies to sharpen cohesion and test new ideas ahead of the Arab Cup and subsequent qualifiers. The tactical emphasis is on pace, pressing, and a flexible defense that can adapt to different African styles of play.
Humor break: If Renard’s playbook is a sniper rifle, expect one precise shot after another—because time on the ball is precious, and the target is the back of the net. Punchlines aside, this squad is chasing rhythm and results with a calm, surgical approach that keeps fans optimistic about what comes next. Punchline 2: If this match were a hunting trip, Saudi’s plan would be to surprise the Ivory Coast with a perfectly aimed cross, a timely run, and a finish so clean the scoreboard would need a moment to catch its breath.
