Get to know Roshn Saudi League’s Abha: A southern side with a Cameroon FIFA World Cup 2022 star within their ranks
Abha, one of two clubs in the far south of Saudi Arabia along with nearby Damac, have settled in Roshn Saudi League after oscillating between the top-two divisions.
Now in their third-consecutive campaign in the top flight, the ambitious team from the south are looking to position themselves as a top-half mainstay. As part of our profiles into Saudi Pro League outfits, Abha are next in focus.
THE PLAYERS
Abha boast plenty of talent.
Cameroon goalkeeper Devis Epassy shone during the 2022 FIFA World Cup when he replaced Internazionale’s Andre Onana, playing a rousing part in his side’s famous 1-0 win over Brazil.
Current other foreigners include Tunisia playmaker Saad Bguir, who is their attacking lynchpin and has been around since 2019. Uros Matic, who has had a career around the Netherlands, Denmark and Azerbaijan, is a midfield favourite and brother of Roma’s Nemanja.
Former Manchester City, Lazio and Ecuador striker Felipe Caicedo can be found in attack.
Electric Saudi Arabia winger Saleh Al Amri has netted five times this term, including late winners versus Al Tai and Damac.
THE COACH
Dutch coach Roel Coumans is in the hot seat at Abha, having joined in October 2022.
This saw him brought back to The Kingdom after a stint at the helm of Al Hazem last term.
His career had previously been linked to Bert van Marwijk, assisting him with Saudi Arabia, Australia – at World Cup 2018 – and United Arab Emirates.
2022/23
It’s been a broadly-positive 2022/23 for the southern side, though there have been tight periods.
After one win in their opening six games, Abha won their next four league matches either side of the World Cup. This included a stunning 3-1 away win at Al Taawoun.
They also picked up local bragging rights with a 2-1 win over Damac in January.
A climb to sixth and possibility of a best-ever top-flight finish has dissipated in recent weeks, but they’ll believe they can rise up the standings down the final stretch.
THE HISTORY
Abha can trace its roots back more than 50 years.
They first made Saudi Pro League for 2005/06, but were instantly relegated.
Fast forward to the next decade and successive promotions in 2017/18 and 2018/19 cemented another meteoric rise, culminating in club-high ninth positions in Saudi Pro League obtained in both the 2019/20 and 2021/22 seasons.
THE STADIUM
Abha call Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Stadium home.
Known for its distinctive blue seats, it has a 25,000 capacity. It was until 2023 shared with Damac, before the neighbours moved into their own facility.