The countdown to 2021-2022 QNB Stars League has begun even as the clubs are eagerly continuing their preparations for the season’s competitions after returning from their overseas camps, where they sought to achieve maximum technical and physical benefits for the players.

Against this backdrop, we are highlighting the pre-season preparations made by each of the 12 teams.

AL AHLI

Al Ahli achieved good success last season (2020-2021). They had made a strong start to their league campaign and topped the standings in the first rounds. However, it was unfortunate that they did not find a place in the top four and thus missed out on a chance to play the AFC Champions League. In the process, The Brigadiers also missed the bus for the elite Qatar Cup, which features the top-four teams in the league competition.

Continuation of coach Nebojsa

Montenegrin coach Nebojsa Jovovic started coaching Al Ahli in the middle of 2019-2020 season, succeeding Spaniard Ruben de la Barrera, under whom Al Ahli were precariously placed at the end of the league’s first leg.

Nebojsa continued to coach Al Ahli in the 2020-2021 season and achieved good results at the beginning of the season before they gradually lost form and ended up in the fifth place with 33 points.

Al Ahli and Al Gharafa both ended up with 33 points, but The Cheetahs were placed fourth on better goal difference (+7 as against Al Ahli’s -10).

Al Ahli can thus bet on their technical stability in the QNB Stars League in the new season. They have some outstanding players, be it overseas recruits or Qataris.

Signing of four foreign professionals

Al Ahli signed Moroccan Soufiane Bouftini from Hassania Agadir, Hossein Kanaani from Iranian club Persepolis, Serbian player Marko Jevtovic and Nigerian striker Patrick Eze while retaining the services of Hernan Perez.

Turkey camp

Al Ahli had their overseas camp in the Turkish city of ​​Izmit from 2nd August for two weeks, during which they played a number of strong friendly matches against the Kuwait Olympic team, Turkish club Baykospor, Al Kuwait, Turkish team Dargaspur and the Oman Olympic team.

Campaign start

Al Ahli will start their league campaign against Qatar SC. They will then play Al Gharafa, Umm Salal and Al Wakrah in that order in the first four rounds.