Following a summer of targeted squad reconstruction under Tunisian head coach Jalel Kadri, Al-Hazem enters 2026/27 with a clear identity: experienced leadership, strategic international recruitment, and a determination to consolidate their status in the Roshn Saudi Pro League after finishing the previous campaign with a respectable 42-point haul.
Technical Leadership & Coaching Profile
Manager: Jalel Kadri
Kadri was appointed as Al-Hazem’s head coach ahead of the 2026/27 season, bringing extensive experience from his time managing in Tunisia and across the Arab world. The 54-year-old Tunisian has implemented a pragmatic, defensively organised approach that prioritises collective discipline and tactical flexibility.
Kadri’s coaching philosophy has been evident in his public comments during the early weeks of the season. Following a draw against Al-Shabab, he acknowledged his team “did not enter the match with the required focus and made a number of errors in midfield,” before improving through tactical adjustments during the game. This willingness to adapt in-match reflects a coach who prioritises results over stylistic rigidity.
Tactical Philosophy
Kadri has built Al-Hazem around a 4-2-3-1 system that emphasises midfield compactness and quick transitions. The defensive foundation is anchored by the centre-back partnership of Abdurahman Al Dakheel and Saud Al Rashed, who have played every minute of the opening five league matches. The midfield double pivot of Bonheur Mugisha and Aboubacar Bah provides screening and ball-winning capacity, allowing the attacking players freedom to exploit space in transition. Kadri’s approach is direct and efficient rather than possession-focused, a pragmatic strategy for a club with mid-table resources.
Preferred Formations
4-2-3-1 / 4-4-2 out of possession.
Strategic Transfer Activity
Al-Hazem’s summer window was defined by strategic free transfers and targeted reinforcements. The most significant arrival was Afimico Pululu, the Congolese forward who joined on a free transfer from Jagiellonia Bialystok after scoring 21 goals and providing eight assists in 47 matches across all competitions. Pululu, who finished as the UEFA Europa Conference League top scorer in 2024/25 with eight goals, was identified as the direct replacement for Omar Al-Soma. Other notable additions included Bonheur Mugisha from Al Masry, Sofiane Bendebka from Al-Fateh, and Czech international goalkeeper Jindřich Staněk.
Table A: Summer Major Transfer Influx
| Player | Position | Former Club | Fee Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Afimico Pululu | Forward | Jagiellonia Bialystok | Free |
| Bonheur Mugisha | Midfielder | Al Masry | Undisclosed |
| Sofiane Bendebka | Midfielder | Al-Fateh | Free |
| Ayman Al-Hajili | Midfielder | Al-Orobah | Free |
| Jindřich Staněk | Goalkeeper | — | Undisclosed |
| Walid Al-Shanqiti | Defender | — | Undisclosed |
The First-Team Roster
Goalkeepers
Ibrahim Zaied (#23): The 36-year-old goalkeeper has been Al-Hazem’s undisputed number one, playing every minute of the opening five league matches. His experience and command of the defensive line have been crucial behind a back four that has conceded just six goals in five matches.
Jindřich Staněk (#36): The Czech international arrived in early September, bringing 14 caps for his country and a market value of approximately €2 million. His presence signals an end to Zaied’s uncontested status, and the competition between the two will be closely monitored as the season progresses.
Majed Al-Ghamdi (#33): The 28-year-old provides additional goalkeeper depth, his familiarity with the Saudi league making him a reliable squad member.
Defenders
Abdurahman Al Dakheel (#—): The Saudi centre-back has been an ever-present in the opening five matches, accumulating 450 minutes. His physical presence and aerial dominance provide the defensive steel Kadri’s structure requires.
Saud Al Rashed (#2): The right-back has played 398 minutes in the opening five rounds, contributing one assist. His ability to overlap and provide width is an important outlet in Kadri’s system.
Mohamed Amine Ben Hamida (#—): The 30-year-old Tunisian defender has started all five opening matches, accumulating 426 minutes. His experience and composure at the back are invaluable within a squad that blends youth and veteran leadership.
Sultan Tunkar (#4): The centre-back provides additional defensive depth and represents a reliable rotation option.
Ahmed Al-Nakhli (#27): The 24-year-old left-back offers energy and crossing ability, his development being closely monitored within the first-team squad.
Midfielders
Bonheur Mugisha (#17): The Rwandan international has been one of Al-Hazem’s most important players since arriving from Al Masry. The 26-year-old has played every minute of the opening five matches, providing tactical discipline and ball-winning ability in midfield. His signing was confirmed during the club’s pre-season camp in Tabarka, Tunisia.
Aboubacar Bah (#24): The 20-year-old Guinean midfielder has started all five opening matches, accumulating 435 minutes. His energy and box-to-box running offer a dynamic presence in the engine room, and his contract until 2028 reflects the club’s long-term investment in his development.
Sofiane Bendebka (#—): The 34-year-old Algerian midfielder joined from Al-Fateh after a seven-year spell in which he established himself as one of the most consistent midfielders in the Saudi Pro League. His experience and leadership credentials make him a valuable addition to Kadri’s squad.
Abdulaziz Al Dhuwayhi (#—): The 26-year-old midfielder/forward has been Al-Hazem’s standout performer in the opening weeks, scoring two goals in five matches. His ability to arrive late in the box and finish with composure has provided a goal threat from midfield.
Ayman Al-Hajili (#—): The 27-year-old midfielder joined from Al-Orobah on a two-year contract until 2028. His career has included spells at Damac, Al-Ain, Al-Khaleej, Al-Faisaly, and Al-Orobah, bringing extensive Saudi league experience to the squad.
Forwards
Afimico Pululu (#11): The Congolese forward is Al-Hazem’s marquee summer signing and the direct replacement for Omar Al-Soma. Pululu scored 21 goals and provided eight assists in 47 matches for Jagiellonia Bialystok last season, and his eight goals in the 2024/25 Europa Conference League made him the competition’s top scorer. The 27-year-old, who began his career at Basel and also played for Greuther Fürth, possesses the physical profile and finishing ability to thrive in the Saudi league. He has already registered one goal and one assist in his opening five matches.
Yousef Al-Shammari (#7): The 28-year-old winger provides depth and creativity across the attacking line, his work rate and delivery from wide areas making him a reliable option.
Nawaf Al-Habashi (#19): The 28-year-old forward offers additional attacking depth, his versatility allowing him to operate across multiple positions.
Ahmed Al-Shamrani (#70): The 24-year-old forward represents the club’s commitment to developing young Saudi talent within the first-team structure.
Leadership Group & Squad Regulations
Club Captain: To Be Confirmed
With the departure of several senior figures over the summer, Al-Hazem’s captaincy has been adjusted during the early weeks of the season. Mohamed Amine Ben Hamida and Saud Al Rashed, as the longest-serving members of the defensive unit, have assumed greater leadership responsibilities.
The Leadership Committee
Sofiane Bendebka and Ibrahim Zaied serve as the senior voices within the squad, their combined experience of Saudi football providing essential guidance for the younger elements. Bendebka’s seven years at Al-Fateh make him particularly valuable as a reference point for the standards required to succeed in the Roshn Saudi League.
Homegrown Quota Check
Al-Hazem maintains a strong commitment to developing Saudi talent, with players such as Abdurahman Al Dakheel, Saud Al Rashed, Abdulaziz Al Dhuwayhi, and Sultan Tunkar forming the core of the domestic contingent. The club’s policy of renewing contracts for emerging talents and academy graduates ensures a sustainable pipeline for future seasons.
Financial & Contractual Health
Financial Balance Overview
Al-Hazem’s transfer strategy reflects a prudent approach to squad building. The club has prioritised free transfers and low-cost signings, generating a positive transfer balance while strengthening key areas of the squad. The appointment of Jalel Kadri and the recruitment of experienced international players demonstrate a measured ambition to establish the club as a stable Roshn Saudi League presence.
Contract Red Alerts
The club’s policy of renewing contracts for key players and emerging talents was evident in the summer, with 13 players extending their deals to reinforce “technical stability and investment in emerging talents”. Aboubacar Bah’s contract until 2028 secures one of the squad’s most promising young assets.
The Academy Pipeline & Loan Tracker
Breakout Talents to Watch
Abdulaziz Al Dhuwayhi has been the revelation of Al-Hazem’s opening weeks, scoring two goals in five matches from midfield. The 26-year-old’s ability to contribute goals from deep positions addresses a specific need within Kadri’s system. Ahmed Al-Shamrani and Yousef Al-Shammari also represent the club’s investment in domestic talent.
Notable Out on Loan
Al-Hazem’s loan strategy focuses on providing competitive minutes for emerging players, with several younger squad members gaining experience elsewhere before returning to challenge for first-team roles.
Set-Piece Specialists & FPL Cheat Sheet
Penalties: Afimico Pululu (First Choice) / Abdulaziz Al Dhuwayhi (Second Choice).
Direct Free-Kicks: Sofiane Bendebka / Abdulaziz Al Dhuwayhi.
Corners & Crosses: Saud Al Rashed / Yousef Al-Shammari.
Final Outlook: Building on Stability
Al-Hazem enters 2026/27 in a state of measured consolidation. The club’s 42-point haul last season represented a significant achievement, and the summer’s recruitment has been designed to build on that foundation rather than overhaul it.
The opening weeks have offered cautious encouragement. A 2-1 victory over Abha on the opening day was followed by mixed results, leaving Al-Hazem tenth in the table with five points from five matches. Kadri’s side has shown defensive solidity, conceding just six goals, but the attacking output remains a work in progress. Pululu’s integration will be crucial to addressing that challenge.
The challenge ahead is consistency. Al-Hazem’s squad possesses a blend of experienced Saudi league campaigners and international recruits with point-to-prove mentalities. Kadri’s ability to forge those elements into a cohesive unit will determine whether the club can replicate last season’s mid-table security or push for a higher finish.
The margin for error is moderate. Al-Hazem’s financial prudence and focus on stability provide a sustainable model, and the early-season evidence suggests the squad possesses enough quality to avoid a relegation battle. But the Roshn Saudi League’s competitive intensity continues to rise, and clubs with greater resources will punish any complacency. If Kadri can extract consistent performances from his squad, and if Pululu can deliver the goals that Al-Soma provided last season, Al-Hazem possesses the foundation to establish themselves as a settled top-flight club.
