Noureddine Ben Zekri, head coach of Al-Shabab, emphasized the importance of the upcoming clash against Al-Taawoun, noting the similarities in both teams’ situations as the Saudi Pro League enters its decisive phase.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Ben Zekri highlighted that the race for fifth place—granting qualification to Asian competitions—has intensified competition among several clubs, including Al-Taawoun and Al-Ittihad, making the upcoming match highly significant.
He stated that Al-Shabab is aiming to improve its position in the standings, building on recent positive performances despite inconsistent results, stressing the importance of maximizing points at this stage of the season.
Ben Zekri also addressed one of the team’s key issues—lack of attacking efficiency—explaining that while the team frequently creates chances, it struggles to convert them into goals. “The performance is there, but we need to be more clinical in front of goal,” he noted.
He added that Al-Shabab had been the better side in several matches but failed to secure victories due to missed opportunities, expressing confidence in his attacking players’ ability to regain scoring form.
He specifically mentioned Yannick Carrasco and Abderrazak Hamdallah as key figures capable of making a decisive impact in the coming matches.
Regarding his future, Ben Zekri revealed his ambition to build a long-term project at the club focused on stability and sustained development. However, he clarified that his continuation depends not only on the club’s management but also on decisions by the Ministry of Sport.
