In a scene that mixed spontaneity and astonishment, Adel Abbas, the professional Yemeni player for the Saudi Al-Shabab Club, did not realize that his name would be present at the closing ceremony of the Gulf Cup. While Abbas was sitting with his friends at home, watching the live broadcast of the coronation ceremony on the screen, his name was officially announced as the winner of the “Best Young Talent” award in the tournament, causing astonishment to spread throughout the room. The young player’s eyes could not believe the news at first, as he appeared to be pointing with his hand at the screen, asking with disbelief laughter. Then he got up and performed his prostration in gratitude to God as soon as he understood the news, amidst the warm congratulations and cheers of his teammates who shared this exceptional moment with him.
This well-deserved coronation comes as an extension of the numbers and outstanding appearance made by the 18-year-old young playmaker with the Yemeni national team, as he played 3 matches in the group stage for a total of 148 minutes, during which he succeeded in leaving a remarkable offensive impact by scoring one goal and assisting two others, drawing attention with his movements and high field vision in the midfield, and receiving praise from followers and critics, crowning his efforts with this award.
Sadness fell over the Jordanian football family, after the death of the young player Moatasem Iyad Hamza Al-Taweel, a player for the Al-Ahly under-18 team, after he was exposed to a tragic run-over accident in the capital, Amman. Al-Ahly Club mourned its young player, offering its condolences to his family, relatives and colleagues, amid a state of shock and sadness in the Jordanian sports community after the sudden departure of the 17-year-old player.
According to the Jordanian press, the accident occurred in the Bayader Wadi Al-Seer area in Amman, after Moatasem got off the club bus and was on his way to his home, before he was run over and died from the injuries he suffered. Moatasem comes from the Palestinian town of Far'ata, and he lived with his family in Jordan. He continued his football career within the age groups, as he previously represented Al-Hussein Club before moving to Al-Ahly. The death of the young player sparked a wide wave of sadness and condolences, as Jordanian clubs, sports figures and fans mourned him, recalling his short career and his ambition to continue his football career.
The Algerian national team turned the tables on its guest, Niger, and defeated it 2-1 in a friendly match held on Tuesday evening.
The Niger national team surprised by taking the lead in the first half with a goal scored by Konan Nedri 13 minutes into the match that was held at the “Hussein Ait Ali” stadium in the state of Tizi Ouzou.
In the second half, the Desert Warriors equalized with a goal scored by Mohamed Al-Bashir Belloumi from a brilliantly executed free kick in the 54th minute.
Borussia Dortmund defender Ramy Bensebaini added the second goal for Algeria in the 72nd minute from a penalty kick.
Thus, the Algerian national team concludes its camp during the international break, after defeating Zambia 3-1 and narrowly drawing with Burundi with a score of 2-2 at the start of its campaign in the ninth group of the qualifiers for the 2027 African Cup of Nations.
On the other hand, the Niger national team beat Lesotho 2-1, then lost by two unanswered goals to Morocco in the first two rounds of the first group of the qualifiers.
