QSL Cup: African internationals help Umm Salal advance to semifinals

Six African internationals were involved on Tuesday as Qatar Stars League club Umm Salal advanced to the semifinals of the QSL Cup with a 2-0 victory over Al Bidda.

 

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The top flight club found two late goals to overcome second tier opposition, with Croatian forward Antonio Mance opening the scoring from an assist by Algerian defender Naïm Laidouni in the 73rd minute. Former Ivory Coast national team forward Jean Evrard Kouassi came off the bench late to set up the second goal from Cristo González.

Umm Salal’s large African presence

Laidouni, the younger brother of Tunisia national team midfielder Aïssa Laidouni, was a decisive presence in the defense and his clever dribble move allowed the favorites to open the scoring. The French-born defender opted to represent the country of his father, Algeria, where he previously appeared for the U-20 and U-23 selections.

Alongside Nigerian defender Edidiong Udosen and 2021 Africa Cup of Nations champion Abdou Diallo of Senegal, the African trio helped maintain a clean sheet through a disappointing first half performance before Umm Salal showed their quality after the interval.

In the midfield, Ghana international Michael Baidoo and Moroccan veteran Oussama Tannane produced solid performances as well.

🦅 خطوة جديدة في #كأس_QSL 🏆

بعد التأهل من دور الـ8، صقور برزان على موعد مع الريان في نصف النهائي ⌛️#أم_صلال | #صقور_برزان pic.twitter.com/EwwTzryN4R

— نادي أم صلال الرياضي (@ummsalalsc) March 24, 2026

They advance to the final four where they will face fellow top flight side Al Rayyan, who defeated Al Shahaniya 3-0 earlier on Tuesday. The competition features twenty clubs from the top flight as well as the Qatari Second Division.