Arabian Gulf League ambitions run high for Al Ahli following Moussa Sow and Lima additions

The eye-catching additions of Moussa Sow and Lima mean Arabian Gulf League-title chasers Al Ahli possess the most fearsome foreign contingent in their history, according to CEO Ahmed Khalifa.

The Red Knights have reacted with a show of strength in the transfer market after last term’s pathetic defence of their top-flight crown ended in a distant seventh-placed finish.

Senegal forward Sow, 29, has been brought in for a UAE-record fee of €17 million (Dh70m) after he excelled at Turkish giants Fenerbahce.

Brazilian striker Lima has already looked a bargain since his €7m (Dh28.4m) move from Benfica, scoring five goals in his opening four matches.

With Brazil playmaker Everton Ribeiro and South Korean defensive midfielder Kwon Kyung-won already in situ, Khalifa believed boss Cosmin Olaroiu has under his command the strongest squad ever assembled at Rashid Stadium.

“Never in the history of Al Ahli have we had this level of player, all at the same time,” he said. “We always had just one or two. “But now we have Ribeiro, a Brazil national team player, Moussa Sow, a Senegal national team pla-yer, while Lima is a very big player also. He’s played in big teams and transferred from Benfica, where he was top scorer and won the Portuguese league.

“We will not stop at that, whether that is the local market or the international market. This is part of our strategy to maintain the team, to develop the team and recruit players who can add value, players who can push the team to more trophies.” 

The 2015 AFC Champions League quarter-finalists have a firm record of attracting outstanding talent.

Italy’s 2006 World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro and 2008/09 Bundesliga top scorer Grafite have played for them in recent years, while legendary Iran playmaker Ali Karimi made his name there before his switch to Bayern Munich a decade ago.

Their shake-up has seen Morocco winger Oussama Assaidi and Brazilian forward Ciel cast aside. Interest has been registered in the pair by various AGL sides, ahead of September 21’s transfer deadline.

Ahli’s actions have been noted across Dubai, with Al Nasr boss Ivan Jovanovic insisting their activity headlines a summer of impressive dealing in the UAE.

He said: “I believe all the teams have reinforced with good players. Maybe Al Ahli more than all the other teams.

“I know with Al Ahli they are a very serious team, always playing for the league title or AFC Champions League. But also the teams in the lower group dynamic have reinforced themselves very well.

“That why I believe it is a very, very interesting league.” Nasr will be out to prove their mettle on Saturday at Al Dhafra when the AGL resumes.

A new Arabian Gulf League season has just kicked off and it is the perfect time to go check out the new kits released by your favourite Emirati clubs.

Whether you’re a Red Knights’ fan or you bleed green for Shabab, you’ll definitely enjoy the new outfits on offer for the 2015/2016 football term.

Al Ahli have taken a bold approach to their Nike kit this year with one of their away shirts resembling a checkers board. The traditional red Home jersey is a Dri-Fit Knit boasting a modern design with gradient checks, a hybrid crew collar, and an embroidered Nike trademark swoosh design.

The Red Knights’ crest is proudly positioned with its well-established features, the horse’s head, the club’s name, and ‘1970 Dubai’, symbolising Al Ahli FC’s strong football heritage. The kit’s socks come in red as well, while the shorts come in black.

The club’s new away kit comes with a white Dri-Fit knit jersey with hybrid crew collar and a yarn dye three-stripe front panel in a fabric mix of solid stripe, mesh stripe and satin pin stripe.

The club kit also comes in a third design with a Dri-Fit knit jersey with hybrid crew collar and a graphic front panel with a traditional sash in gradient execution. Both iterations feature an embroidered swoosh design trademark. 

If green is your colour then you must check out Al Shabab’s Umbro outfit. The kit’s design is equivalent to those sported by Umbro Premier League clubs and professional teams around the world, but it has been emblazoned to reflect Shabab’s tradition, displaying the club’s Hawk logo and green and white colours.

In addition to style, Umbro technology and design ensures player performance and comfort. The green jersey features a wrap-over collar with a high stretch rib for comfort, while laser-cut holes dot the back of the jersey, providing much needed ventilation to combat the Gulf’s hot climate.

The shorts feature a mesh insert panel seams for further breathability and freedom of movement.

Over in Abu Dhabi, Al Wahda will be wearing their latest adidas designed home kit, an impactful combination of red and gold that speaks to the club’s traditional colours.

Where to Buy: Shabab kit at Stadium stores, Ahli at Sun & Sand Sports, Wahda at adidas stores
Price: Shabab shirt for adults Dh150; Shabab shirt for juniors Dh125; Ahli shirt for adults Dh379, Ahli shirt for juniors Dh329; Wahda shirt Dh225