Nour El Din Ben Zekri Emerges as Abha’s Leading Coaching Candidate
Algerian coach Nour El Din Ben Zekri is reportedly nearing a return to the Saudi Roshn League, as Abha search for a way out of a difficult start to the season. The club’s decision to dismiss Croatian manager Damir Buric has created an opening, and Ben Zekri is among the names being considered to take charge for the remainder of the campaign.
Abha confirmed Buric’s departure on Wednesday after a run of results left the newly promoted side rooted to the foot of the table. Croatian compatriot Teo Berrega has been appointed caretaker while the club weighs its options. According to Saudi newspaper Arriyadiyah, Abha’s board have added Ben Zekri to a shortlist that includes several other potential candidates.
A familiar face in Saudi football
Ben Zekri would not be arriving in Saudi Arabia as an unknown quantity. He has developed a reputation for understanding the demands of the Roshn League and for taking on difficult assignments at clubs threatened by relegation. His recent work has included spells with Al-Akhdoud, Al-Kholood and Al-Shabab, where his teams were tasked with improving results and preserving their top-flight status.
That experience could prove especially relevant to Abha. The club are currently 18th, with only two points from two draws and eight defeats, and are still waiting for their first victory of the season. A team in that position needs more than a short-term lift: it needs a clear plan, renewed confidence and enough consistency to turn narrow losses or draws into points.
Ben Zekri’s appeal lies partly in his familiarity with those circumstances. A coach who has previously worked with clubs facing survival pressure may be better placed to make quick decisions about tactics, selection and squad priorities. However, a managerial appointment alone cannot guarantee a turnaround. Abha will need players to respond on the pitch and the club’s leadership to provide stability during a demanding stretch of the season.
Buric leaves after guiding Abha to promotion
Buric’s dismissal is a notable change for a club that only recently celebrated a major achievement under his leadership. Abha won the Saudi First Division title last season, earning promotion to the top flight with Buric in charge. The contrast between that success and the team’s current league position has made the opening months of the new campaign particularly challenging.
Promotion can bring momentum, but the step up to the Roshn League often exposes the difference in quality, depth and match experience between divisions. Newly promoted sides must adapt quickly to stronger opposition, while also managing the pressure of a relegation battle. Abha’s early results suggest that the transition has been difficult, prompting the board to act before the gap to safety grows further.
Buric’s departure also underlines how quickly expectations can change in Saudi football. Coaches are often judged not only on their previous achievements but on immediate results, particularly when a team is struggling near the bottom of the standings. For Abha, the priority now is to identify a successor capable of turning the club’s promotion momentum into points at the highest level.
Third coaching change of the Roshn League season
Buric is the third manager to lose his job in the Roshn League this season. Serbian coach Zarko Lazetic has departed Al-Taawoun, while Saudi manager Khaled Al-Atwi was dismissed by Al-Fateh. The growing number of changes reflects the intensity of the competition and the pressure on clubs to respond when results fall below expectations.
For Abha, the timing of the decision matters. With the team still searching for a first win, the caretaker period gives the club a brief opportunity to assess its needs before making a permanent appointment. Berrega’s immediate task will be to steady the squad and prepare it for upcoming fixtures, while the board considers whether Ben Zekri or another candidate is the best fit.
What Ben Zekri could bring to Abha
If appointed, Ben Zekri would inherit a side in urgent need of structure and belief. His first priorities would likely include tightening the defence, improving the team’s ability to compete for second balls and finding a reliable route to goal. Those adjustments are especially important for a newly promoted club, which may not have the same resources or squad depth as established top-flight opponents.
Abha’s challenge is not simply to produce one encouraging performance. The club must build a sequence of competitive results and make the most of matches against teams around them in the standings. In a relegation contest, points earned in direct battles can have a major effect on the final table, making tactical discipline and composure just as important as attacking ambition.
Any football prediction about Abha’s recovery should therefore remain cautious until a new coach is confirmed and the team shows signs of improvement. Ben Zekri’s record in Saudi football makes him a credible candidate, but the outcome will depend on how quickly he can connect with the squad, adapt his approach to the players available and produce results under pressure.
Abha’s next appointment could shape the direction of its season. The club have already demonstrated that they can succeed under Buric by winning promotion, but staying in the Roshn League is a different test. If Ben Zekri is selected, his experience in high-pressure survival campaigns may offer Abha a practical route back into contention. For now, the caretaker period continues as supporters wait to learn whether a familiar Saudi football specialist will lead the club’s fight for top-flight survival.
