Al Ahli and Cannavaro in Dubai

So another week goes by and Cannavaro once again has a disappointing performance at home to Al Jazira in the Etisalat Cup. A player of Fabio’s quality, who has the experience all his team mates can only dream off, should be doing better. However the question to ask is whether he is motivated enough? The man has achieved more than most in the game and with a complementary house, a healthy salary and no chance of being asked to leave what can Fabio do wrong?

Surely from a professional perspective, he wants to compete and win every game. Coming to Al Ahli gives him a fresh challenge and under the guidance of former Aston Villa and Leeds manager David O’Leary, the club are clearly investing heavily with a eye to success. As the club stands, they are bottom of their Etisalat Cup group and 4th in the league table.

In other news, Pinga, another one of Ahli’s three foreign players, proved once again to be the creative spark for a team missing three players, including star striker Ahmed Khalil , on international duty for the UAE at the Asian Cup. Pinga, who has played for the likes of Torino and Siena in Italy and Internacional in Brazil, has been in brilliant form this season scoring 7 league goals in 11 games. He did seem to struggle against a strong AC Milan team last week but was starved of possession.

Aristide Bance, Al Ahli’s 3rd and final foreign player appears to be on the way out of the club in the January transfer window. O Leary spoke of the ”fantastic offer” he had received from a Qatar club and felt it was an offer the club couldn’t turn down. Bance, formerly of Mainz in Germany is set to join his brother in law Aruna Dindane in Qatar.

When asked about replacements, O’Leary remained tight lipped  but added ”We will be bringing in someone from outside”. Rumours are circling this could be Kenny Miller or Marlon Harewood.