Al Fateh bank on African attack to lift season | OneFootball

According to spl.com.sa, Al Fateh are leaning on an experienced, African-led front line to spark a revival after slipping to 16th after three rounds in the Roshn Saudi League. They have scored three goals in three games and need momentum quickly.

Last season they were bottom until Round 20, yet finished 10th after winning nine of their final 15, including wins over champions Al Ittihad and title-chasing Al Nassr. The backing of their supporters was pivotal in staying up.

The schedule is unforgiving, with Al Qadsiah on Saturday, then Al Nassr after the international break next month. Scoring remains the clearest route to results, just as the second-half surge last term was powered by their attack.

Morocco’s Mourad Batna, Algeria’s Sofiane Bendebka and Cameroon’s Karl Toko Ekambi form a potent trio. A late-window arrival from Al Ettifaq, the 33-year-old has played for Villarreal and Olympique Lyon, and won the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations with Cameroon.

Batna and Bendebka have close to 300 Al Fateh appearances between them and 81 RSL goals, and remain the heartbeat of the side. With a deadline-day addition up front, combinations will need time, but the learning must be swift.

The lynchpin remains Argentine Mathias Vargas, who arrived in winter from Shanghai Port after winning the Chinese Super League. He scored seven and made four last term, and already has two goals and one assist this season, involved in every Al Fateh goal. The pressure is on, and this would be a timely moment to kick-start the climb.

Source: spl.com.sa