Yacine Brahimi and Sassi lead Al Gharafa to victory

Al Gharafa’s North African stars Yacine Brahimi and Ferjani Sassi were instrumental on Friday as the seven-time Qatar Stars League champions overcame Al Sailiya by a 2-0 score in league action.

Brahimi’s brilliant strike from distance sealed three points for last season’s third place finishers, who have now won three games from their first four fixtures in the early stage of the 2025-26 campaign.

Former Zamalek star Sassi, who assisted Brahimi’s late goal, gave the hosts the lead early in the second half. The Tunisia national team midfielder got on the end of Brahimi’s corner kick service to place his header perfectly past Sailiya goalkeeper Fahad Younes.

Both players continue to be key players for Gharafa, especially Brahimi. The former Algeria national team star now has 37 goals and 28 assists in 62 Qatar Stars League matches, showing the 35-year-old’s ability to dominate at this level despite his advanced age. Sassi, in his third year with the club, now has 12 goals and 8 assists in 47 QSL games.

While Brahimi is no longer in the picture with Algeria, the 33-year-old Sassi is set to feature for Tunisia at the 2026 World Cup after the Eagles of Carthage confirmed their place at the finals earlier this week. He scored in Tunisia’s 3-0 home victory over Liberia on September 4.

Al Gharafa next begin their continental campaign in the AFC Champions League Elite on Monday when they travel to face Emirati club Al Sharjah to begin the league phase.

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