Season of two halves for Al Gharafa  

Al Gharafa went into the 2016/2017 season with plenty of optimism following an overhaul of management and player staff. Former Al Arabi coach Pericles Chamusca was signed in June and the Brazilian tactician promptly brought in a host of international and local players who had extensive QSL experience.

The previous top scorer Alain Dioko was recruited from Al Ahli whilst Brazilian defender Anderson Martins was also pulled in from El Jaish as the Cheetah’s aimed for a top four finish for the first time since 2010/2011 season.

Gharafa started the new season in a rich vein of form, registering three straight wins against Meisameer, Al Ahli and Al Arabi. The highflying Cheetah’s where quickly brought back to earth in the side’s first test of their top 4 credentials losing 4-1 to El Jaish.

Gharafa’s form dropped off with the Cheetah’s failing to register a win in five games. The run put an end to Pericles Chamusca’s time at Gharafa as the Brazilian departed the club by mutual consent in November.

Manageress Gharafa turned to Habib Sadeq to steady the ship and the Tunsian delivered in his first game registering a 3-1 win over Al Sailiya. Unfortunately the remaining five games of the assistant’s tenure resulted in one point from a possible fifteen as Gharafa sunk further in the league.

 Gharafa took their time in picking Chamusca’s successor eventually appointing Pedro Caixinia in late December. The Charismatic Portuguese coach immediately turned the fortunes around of a beleaguered Gharafa side. Registering wins against Meisameer and Al Ahli. Gharafa stuttered against Al Arabi losing 3-2, but the result prompted a seven game unbeaten streak which pushed the Cheetah’s to within touching distance of the Qatar Cup places.

January also saw two major players join the club. With the duo of Vladimir Weiss and Hungarian international Krisztian Nemeth bolstering the attacking ranks. The duo has struck up quite the partnership already this term adding nine goals to the team in the final quarter of the season. 




Gharafa were also involved in a frantic 4-4 draw with top 4 rivals Umm Salal in February, and despite taking a 4-3 lead where pegged back right at the death much to the frustration of Caxinia. Gharafa’s brand of football was significantly improved and showed with an impressive 2-1 over QSL champions Al Rayyan.

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The final weeks of the season saw Gharafa stutter in their quest for a top four place, and despite eventually finishing in ninth place plenty of solace can be taken from the football and Pedro Caixinia.

Under the charismatic coach, Al Gharafa has improved their footballing style whilst also the players he brought in during the transfer window have been a success for the team. Gharafa can head into the 2016/2017 season with plenty of optimism.