ISTANBUL, July 24: Kuwait Club has been dealt a significant blow during its training camp in Turkey as Argentine professional Sergio Vitor has suffered a cruciate ligament rupture. The club announced on its social media that tests conducted in Turkey revealed the tear, necessitating surgery in Barcelona, Spain.

Vitor’s absence, expected to last at least four months, presents a challenge for "Al-Abyad" as the team prepares for the new season. The club must seek a replacement before the summer transfer window closes in September. Kuwait Club will face Al-Ahly of Bahrain in a crucial AFC Champions League qualifying play-off match on August 14 and will open the Zain Premier League against Al-Qadisiyah on August 8.

Vitor, who joined Kuwait Club after a season with Al-Qadisiya, has received an outpouring of support from his former teammates, including Libyan player Muhammad Sula, Eid Al-Rashidi, and Abdulaziz Wadi, as well as from Al-Qadisiya coach Dr. Muhammad Al-Mashaan, all wishing him a swift recovery.

Despite the injury setback, Kuwait Club continued to excel in its friendly matches during the Turkish camp. The team secured a 4-1 victory against Turkmenistan’s Sakadam, with goals from Mohammed Marhoon (two), Youssef Nasser, and Mohammed Dahham. This win adds to their previous friendly victories against Uzbekistan’s Lokomotiv (2-1) and Turkey’s Amed FK (2-0).

Under the guidance of Montenegro's Nebosha, the Kuwaiti coaching staff is using these friendlies to assess the team’s readiness for the upcoming season. The team is set to play one final friendly match in Turkey before returning home next week to resume local training and prepare for their league title defense starting with the match against Al-Qadisiya.

Hassan Musa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff