Al Diriyah dominate again as N’Koudou and Marega combine forces

Former Mali national team striker Moussa Marega set up Cameroonian winger Georges-Kévin N’Koudou for a goal and then converted from the penalty spot for Al Diriyah as the Saudi second tier title contenders cruised to a 4-0 victory at Al Jandal on Monday.

Diriyah are laying their opponents to waste in the Saudi First Division League (FDL), with Monday’s win extending their unbeaten streak to six matches. During this stretch, they have scored fifteen goals while only conceding once.

Another strong start put the result beyond doubt by halftime. Former Nice and Montpellier forward Gaëtan Laborde finished from the penalty spot to put the visitors ahead inside fifteen minutes. Shortly after, Marega got behind the Al Jandal defense and latched onto a ball played over the top before crossing for N’Koudou to tap into an empty net.

It is the Cameroonian’s first goal since returning from national team duty at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where the former Beşiktaş star made one substitute appearance in the quarterfinals as the Indomitable Lions fell to hosts Morocco.

Just before halftime it was Marega, who represented Mali at the 2017 and 2019 editions of the Africa Cup of Nations, whose turn it was to convert a penalty kick for his 10th goal in 15 matches.

هدف! ⚽️
ماريقا يضيف الثالث لصالح الدرعية من علامة الجزاء. 🥅#الجندل_الدرعية | #دوري_يلو pic.twitter.com/QyZi1DY7hR

— رياضة ثمانية (@thmanyahsports) February 9, 2026

The story behind Al Diriyah’s campaign to successive promotions

Towards the end of 2024, Al Diriyah underwent an ownership change and an influx of resources before winning the third tier Saudi Second Division League. Ambitions of reaching the top flight Saudi Pro League are on course to be realized in their first season in the FDL, where the Riyadh-area club currently sit in second place through 21 rounds.

N’Koudou (2 goals and 2 assists in 10 matches) and Marega, as well as new captain and Gambian defensive cornerstone Omar Colley have been brought on board the project as well as European talent like Laborde and former Leganés attacking midfielder Óscar Rodriguez.

The club currently sit eight points back of league leaders Abha Club in the final direct promotion spot. They next host third place Al Ula in a promotion six-pointer next Sunday.