Al Johani and Kessie, typically in tandem at Al Ahli, get set to tussle | OneFootball

On any normal day, Ziyad Al Johani and Franck Kessie find themselves shoulder-to-shoulder in the Al Ahli changing room, sharing in the usual camaraderie that comes from being teammates.

The midfielders are a pivotal part of the engine room for this Al Ahli side - perhaps an unlikely pairing - but one that has catapulted Al Ahli to continental success and has them in the hunt for yet more silverware this season.

However, Friday sees the duo take on different roles: that of adversaries.

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup fast approaching on the horizon, Saudi Arabia and Cote d’Ivoire square off in Jeddah in an important friendly for both countries - perhaps even more crucial for the hosts, given next month’s participation in the FIFA Arab Cup.

So, where Al Johani and Kessie usually perform in tandem, on Friday they’ll be in opposition.

That Al Johani is in the Green Falcons squad is in a significant part thanks to Kessie and his influence on the young midfielder since the latter joined Al Ahli in 2023.

One of the follow-on effects of the influx of international stars into the Roshn Saudi League is the improvement in domestic talent that in turn train alongside stars like Kessie, Riyad Mahrez and Ivan Toney day-in, day-out.

From seeing how their elite-level peers prepare, the intensity with which they train, how they recover and their overall professional attitude - both on and off the pitch - the RSL’s Saudis are being exposed to a level of professionalism hitherto unseen in their fledgling careers.

That’s not to say, of course, that domestic players have been unprofessional until this point. Yet, when you get exposed to the absolute pinnacle of the game internationally, it highlights the extra levels that can be reached when you dedicate yourself to your craft.

And Al Johani has been one of the biggest beneficiaries.

Slight in build, he doesn’t perhaps project the image of a traditional central-defensive midfielder. In that sense, he and Kessie are chalk and cheese considering the Ivorian’s more robust physique.

But, despite appearances, they complement each other particularly well, and Al Ahli manager Matthias Jaissle was onto it pretty soon into Kessie’s time at the club.

Al Johani was always a talented youngster, frequently in youth national teams, winning both the AFC Under-23 Asian Cup and WAFF U23 Championships in 2022. In the latter, he even finished as joint-top scorer.

Together, Al Johani and Kessie have developed a dynamic that thrives; Kessie does a lot more work linking midfield with attack, while Al Johani has embraced the graft that often goes unsighted. That is, closing off passing channels, dropping in to help the Al Ahli defence, breaking up opposition attacks.

It doesn’t always reflect on the stats sheet, but it is a role that coaches love and one that Al Johani has perfected alongside Kessie. It gives his African counterpart the freedom to drift further forward, knowing he has cover behind should a quick counter-attack ensue.

The role saw Al Johani ranked fourth last season at the club for tackles, as well as total passes, while he also conceded the most fouls of any player in green and white. Principally, it underscored the function he plays as the midfield bull.

Such has been Al Johani’s form during the past 12 months that he earned his first call-up and cap for the national team and is now somewhat of an established figure in Herve Renard’s squad - one that looks ahead to next year’s FIFA World Cup.

And Saudi Arabia prepare to host Cote d’Ivoire in the familiar surrounds of Jeddah, Al Johani would love nothing more than to come up against Kessie and try and get one over his club teammate.

Although, no doubt Kessie has an ace or two up his sleeve. Playing alongside him is one thing, playing against him is another.

However, within a few days Al Ahli’s midfield partnership will be back to their normal roles for the green and white half of the city, working in tandem for a common goal as they face a vital game against Al Qadsiah.

National commitments concluded, Al Johani and Kessie will be key the Asian champions’ attempts to secure three points to .