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Edouard Mendy’s competitive debut for Al-Ahli got off to the worst conceivable start. In the Saudi League opener against Al Hazem, the former Chelsea goalkeeper conceded due to his own error.
His gaffe was insignificant, as Roberto Firmino’s hat trick secured a 3-1 victory for Ahli. Edouard Mendy made an unforgivable error in his Saudi Pro League debut for Al-Ahli.
Mendy, who joined the Royals from Chelsea during the summer transfer window, was named the choice goalkeeper as Ahli began their highly anticipated and exciting 2023-24 season.
While his club won convincingly 3-1 over Al Hazem at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium on Friday evening, the 31-year-old goalkeeper’s performance was less than stellar.
According to JOE.co.uk, the Senegal international was culpable for Hazem’s lone goal in the match when he inadvertently gave the ball to Vina, who pounced on the opportunity by neatly lobbing the ball over Mendy, cutting Ahli’s two-goal advantage.
(Video): Edouard Mendy was spotted in today’s training with three key players
Here’s a link to the video:
Édouard Mendy on his Al-Ahli debut ?
(via @SPL)
— B/R Football (@brfootball) August 11, 2023
Nonetheless, Mendy’s gaffe was overshadowed by the outstanding performance of former Liverpool player Roberto Firmino, who won the victory with a hat-trick.
The winner of the 2021 FIFA Best Goalkeeper Award will try to overcome his errors, which have contributed to him losing his No. 1 status at Chelsea as the season unfolds.
While Mendy struggled, Roberto Firmino and Riyad Mahrez collaborated spectacularly on their debut in the Saudi Pro League, according to Sports Brief.
Their adaption was immediate, as they quickly demonstrated their talent by combining to score a goal in Al Ahli’s first league encounter against Al Hazem.
Firmino concluded the game with a hattrick, while Mahrez added another to complete a flawless outing for the pair.
Mendy jumps on the Saudi bandwagon
Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Edouard Mendy, the Senegal goalkeeper, joined Al-Ahli on Wednesday, June 28, became the third Chelsea player to depart for Saudi Arabia this summer.
Mendy is said to have cost Al-Ahli approximately £16 million ($20 million) after leaving the Premier League side after losing his starting spot to Kepa Arrizabalaga in the second half of last season.
