Three Shocks Hit Al-Ettifaq After Narrow Victory
16 January 2026
Three Shocks Hit Al-Ettifaq After Narrow Victory
The Nawakhda ride a rough wind.
Despite a crucial 1-0 victory for Al-Ettifaq over Al-Ittihad in Round 16 of the Saudi Pro League, the Nawakhda faced three jarring shocks that unsettled the camp after the final whistle. There was talk of mental fatigue and squad rotation ahead of a busy schedule.
With the win, Ettifaq rose to 25 points in seventh place, while Al-Ittihad remained on 27 points in sixth, in a match that underscored the Saudi coach's tactical edge and disciplined plans against a big club. The result also put pressure on the substitute bench as the calendar tightens.
According to the Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadiyah, the first shock came as notice of terminating one foreign player's contract within ten days, adding pressure on the Saad Al-Shehri-led staff to maintain balance ahead of upcoming fixtures.
The second shock was a final warning from Italian club Roma regarding a transfer fee for Joao Costa, placing the club under a looming financial obligation that could affect plans in the winter mercato.
Finally, Ettifaq faced delayed payments to the league and other bodies, potentially hindering the issuance of the financial viability certificate needed to register new players and participate legally.
These shocks may threaten Ettifaq's administrative, financial, and sporting stability in the near term, especially under the pressure of back-to-back league matches soon.
