Al Sadd coach Wesam Rizk and striker Akram Afif recently celebrated their Amir Cup victory with fans at Education City Stadium in Doha, Qatar. The team, coached by Rizk, clinched their record 19th title in the prestigious tournament, with Colombian midfielder Mateus Uribe scoring the winning goal in the final against Qatar SC. This victory also completed a successful season double for Al Sadd as they previously won the Expo Stars League (ESL).
Baghdad Bounedjah, who captained the team in his final match for Al Sadd, expressed his joy at lifting the trophy and thanked his teammate Hassan Al Haydos for passing on the captain’s armband. The Algerian striker, who announced his departure from the club after eight years, received the trophy from His Highness the Amir in what he described as the most beautiful moment of his life. While he has not yet decided on his next destination, Bounedjah plans to savor the victory before making any decisions.
Star player Akram Afif, who was a key contributor to Al Sadd’s success throughout the season, reflected on the significance of their 19th Amir Cup title. He commended Qatar SC for putting up a tough fight in the final and praised his team’s focus and determination in achieving their goal. Afif, a frontrunner for the Best Player award at the upcoming Qatar Football Association Awards, expressed his delight at claiming the prestigious title and praised the team’s performance in the intense match.
Newcomer Paulo Otavio, who joined Al Sadd from German club Wolfsburg last year, shared his excitement at winning the Amir Cup in his first season with the team. The Brazilian player credited the fans for motivating the team and bringing out their best in the final, where they displayed great determination and fighting spirit to secure the victory. Boualem Khoukhi also acknowledged the role of Al Sadd’s supporters in their triumph, emphasizing the unity and perseverance shown by the team in achieving success.
Al Sadd’s Sporting Director Mohammed Gholam highlighted the significance of the Amir Cup victory as a source of motivation for the club heading into the new season. Gholam expressed gratitude for finishing the season with a remarkable double, emphasizing Al Sadd’s commitment to excellence and success. The team’s success in winning both the Amir Cup and the ESL reflects their dedication and determination to perform at the highest level in Qatari football.
