Boualem Khoukhi, the Algerian striker for Al Sadd SC, has been forced to withdraw from the squad due to injury ahead of the upcoming match against Al Ahly on Sunday.
The news comes as a blow to the club's hopes of securing victory in the King Cup final, which they currently lead with two matches remaining.
Khoukhi was injured during training earlier this week and it is not yet clear when he will be able to return to full fitness. However, his absence could leave Al Sadd short of options up front, especially with their star striker, Mohammed Salah, also unavailable through suspension.
Despite the setback,Ligue 1 Snapshot Al Sadd manager Hitzfeld remains confident that his team can still secure victory over Al Ahly. "We have some strong players who can step up and fill the gap left by Khoukhi," he said. "But we need to work hard and stay focused if we want to take home the cup."
With the match looming large, fans and players alike are hoping that Khoukhi will soon recover fully and be back in action for the big game. Meanwhile, the club is doing everything it can to find a replacement for him, with several young players being considered for a starting role.
As the match approaches, the focus will be on both teams' performances and the ability to overcome any challenges that may come their way. With such high stakes on the line, there is no room for error and every player will be counting down the minutes until kick-off.