Mendy set to make Al-Ahli return against Abha after extended injury absence

Al-Ahli head coach Marino Pusic has decided to restore Edouard Mendy to the starting line-up for Saturday’s Saudi Pro League meeting with Abha, ending the Senegal goalkeeper’s lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Mendy has missed Al-Ahli’s first two matches of the new season after suffering a knee injury while on international duty with Senegal. His return against Abha would be his first appearance for the Jeddah club in the 2026-27 campaign.

According to Saudi newspaper Al Riyadiyah, Pusic has settled on selecting Mendy from the start when Al-Ahli host Abha at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah. The match will be played on Saturday in the second round of the Saudi Pro League.

Al-Ahli began the season with a narrow 1-0 victory over Al-Diriyah in the opening round of the league. They then defeated Al-Anwar 2-1 in the last 32 of the King’s Cup, but Mendy was not involved in either fixture.

Reports had suggested that the 34-year-old was fit enough to feature against Al-Anwar on Monday. However, Al Riyadiyah reported that Pusic preferred to give the goalkeeper additional time to recover fully rather than risk an immediate return.

Mendy sustained a knee sprain during Senegal’s World Cup 2026 group-stage match against Norway in the United States, Canada and Mexico. He has been absent from competitive football since that fixture.

His expected comeback will be closely watched at Al-Ahli, where he is the club’s current captain. Mendy joined the side in the summer of 2023 after leaving Chelsea and has remained an important figure for the Jeddah-based team.

Since arriving in Saudi Arabia, he has helped Al-Ahli win the AFC Champions League Elite twice, as well as the Saudi Super Cup. His experience and leadership have made him a central part of the squad, while his return would provide Pusic with an established option in goal for the club’s next league match.

Abha, who were recently promoted to the Saudi Pro League, will be the visitors at Alinma Stadium. The fixture represents Al-Ahli’s second league game of the season and could mark the first competitive appearance of the campaign for their Senegal international goalkeeper.

Pusic’s decision to delay Mendy’s involvement against Al-Anwar means the goalkeeper will have had further time to prepare before facing Abha. Subject to any late change, he is now expected to resume his place in the starting line-up on Saturday.