Al Fateh look to African trio and Vargas to spark climb | OneFootball

According to spl.com.sa, Al Fateh are banking on an experienced forward line, led by an African trio plus Matias Vargas, to arrest a slow Roshn Saudi League start.

They sit 16th after three rounds with one point, and face Al Qadsiah on Saturday then Al Nassr after the international break.

They were bottom until Round 20 last season, then surged to 10th by winning nine of their final 15, beating eventual champions Al Ittihad and title-chasing Al Nassr.

Goals are the quickest fix, yet this campaign has again begun with a blunt edge, just three in three.

Morocco’s Mourad Batna, Algeria’s Sofiane Bendebka and Cameroon’s Karl Toko Ekambi carry the threat. Toko Ekambi, 33, joined late from Al Ettifaq, has Villarreal and Olympique Lyon on his CV, and won the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations. Batna and Bendebka have nearly 300 Al Fateh appearances and 81 RSL goals between them.

The deadline-day addition means a short bedding-in period, and it must be swift. Vargas arrived in January from Shanghai Port after winning the Chinese Super League, then posted seven goals and four assists. He already has two goals and one assist, involved in every Al Fateh goal this season.

If the quartet click, Al Fateh could turn tight games their way. With two stern tests next, the chance to spark a climb is immediate.

Source: spl.com.sa