Former Espérance forwards Taha Khenissi and Anayo Iwuala score in Kuwait Super Cup

Former Espérance Tunis (EST) players Taha Khenissi and Anayo Iwuala each scored on Wednesday in the semifinals of the Kuwait Super Cup, but only one of them will compete for silverware in Sunday’s final.

التاريخي ياسين الخنيسي يسجل الهدف الثاني 0/2 ⚽️
.#نادي_الكويت#kuwaitclub pic.twitter.com/gugBx5TGfs

— نادي الكويت الرياضي (@kuwaitclub) January 28, 2026

Khenissi, who won fifteen trophies at Espérance including three CAF Champions League titles, continues to thrive for Kuwait’s top club Al Kuwait. His second half goal secured a 2-0 semifinal victory for The Brigadiers to advance to the final. Now the forward is in a strong position to reach double digits in trophies won with Al Kuwait.

The Tunisian veteran forward is a club legend at Espérance, with whom he produced 76 goals and 22 assists in almost 200 appearances across all competitions. He also scored 9 goals in 54 appearances with Tunisia, representing his nation at three Africa Cup of Nations tournaments (2017, 2019 & 2023) as well as the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

But for Anayo, who won two titles with EST, his team experienced heartbreak in Wednesday’s later semifinal despite the Nigerian’s first half goal.

إيوالا يرد سريعاً بهدف أول للعربي بالدقيقه الثانية

ضمن منافسات بطولة كأس السوبر لكرة القدم 2025-2026#كأس_السوبر_الكويتي#القادسية_العربي pic.twitter.com/CuLUegtoWL

— هـيــدو (@hedooo1982) January 28, 2026

After Al Arabi conceded in the opening minute of Wednesday’s later semifinal against Al Qadsia, former Nigeria national team winger Iwuala leveled the match immediately. The diminutive attacker arrived at the far post to finish from a cross for a goal that was allowed to stand following a VAR review.

The former Enyimba star’s strike was the first of a remarkable three goals scored in the span of nine minutes as Al Arabi surged to a 3-1 lead by the 12th minute. However, Al Qadsia did not go away easily. Two goals in the second half leveled the match before a dramatic finish ended in victory for the club.

Former Congolese international Neeskens Kebano was tripped up in the penalty area in the final minute of stoppage time and VAR did not save Al Arabi this time. The penalty kick was confirmed and 41-year-old Qadsia and Kuwait national team legend Bader Al-Mutawa made no mistake, converting his spot kick for the winning goal in the final seconds.

هدف القادسية الرابع بمرمى العربي عن طريق بدر المطوع

ضمن منافسات بطولة كأس السوبر لكرة القدم 2025-2026#كاس_السوبر_الكويتي#القادسيه_العربي pic.twitter.com/gcXSaLPTYV

— هـيــدو (@hedooo1982) January 28, 2026

Al-Mutawa, whose 202 national team appearances with Kuwait is only surpassed by Cristiano Ronald, provided a devastating end to the hopes of Anayo and Al Arabi to set up a final clash with local dominant club Al-Kuwait.

Al Arabi, regularly the second place finishers to Al-Kuwait in Kuwaiti competitions, will still have an opportunity to overshadow their rivals. The two teams will meet in the final of the Crown Prince Cup on February 25.

Khenissi continues to be a regular on the scoresheet for Al-Kuwait, who currently lead the Kuwait Premier League by eight points over Al Arabi. The club achieved a quadruple last season, claiming the league as well as all three domestic trophies (Crown Prince Cup, Emir Cup and the Super Cup). They remain in contention to repeat the feat, which was also achieved during the 2016-17 campaign.