Saudi Pro League: Sakala’s strike not enough for Al Fayha against En-Nesyri’s Ittihad

Youssef En-Nesyri scored his first Saudi Pro League goal on Friday as defending champions Al Ittihad overcame stiff resistance from Fashion Sakala and Al Fayha for a 2-1 victory.

بصمة النصيري الأولى في #دوري_روشن_السعودي ⚽✨#الاتحاد_الفيحاء pic.twitter.com/RbsgcUDCpk

— رياضة ثمانية (@thmanyahsports) February 13, 2026

An African connection led to the opening goal for the reigning champions. In the 35th minute, Mali international midfielder Mahamadou Doumbia’s corner kick found En-Nesyri at the far post for a header that snuck past Fayha and Panama national team goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera.

African forwards duel in Saudi Pro League showdown

The Moroccan forward struggled on his Saudi top flight debut in a 0-2 defeat at Al Nassr but he now has two goals and an assist in two matches after opening his account in a 7-0 AFC Champions League Elite thrashing of Qatari club Al Gharafa earlier this week.

But Al Fayha have proven to be a scrappy team and the visitors did respond through star forward Sakala. Early in the second half, former Algerian international Yassine Benzia picked out the Zambian for a header at the far post after sloppy midfield play from the hosts.

من كل الزوايا 🎥
فاشون ساكالا يسجّل هدف التعادل لصالح الفيحاء في مرمى الاتحاد ⚽️🟠#الاتحاد_الفيحاء | #دوري_روشن_السعودي pic.twitter.com/wpZlgTItOb

— رياضة ثمانية (@thmanyahsports) February 13, 2026

And the visitors defended well against an Al Ittihad side that continues to struggle this season. However, late on a stroke of luck favored the hosts and allowed them to seize all three points. An attack down the left wing led to a hopeful strike in the penalty area from Hassan Kadesh that took a major deflection before sneaking inside the far post.

هدف! ⚽️🔥
الاتحاد يتقدّم بالثاني عبر حسن كادش في مرمى الفيحاء 💥#الاتحاد_الفيحاء | #دوري_روشن_السعودي pic.twitter.com/lwYh4PIG2e

— رياضة ثمانية (@thmanyahsports) February 13, 2026

The result moves them up to 6th place on the table but they remain far out of the title picture at this point. However, for their new high-priced striker, the signs are positive as they push for silverware in the AFC Champions League Elite and a potential place in the FIFA Club World Cup.