Saudi Arabia’s influence on football is growing, with stars drawn to the country’s top flight by the riches on offer, and the Kingdom is also expected to have an impact on the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
There will be 25 players who ply their trade in the Saudi Pro League at the tournament in Ivory Coast, with Kalidou Koulibaly and two-time African Footballer of the Year Sadio Mane – both key players for defending champions Senegal – chief among them.
That figure has more than doubled since the 2021 edition, although some pundits have claimed the developing Pro League is a step down from the level in Europe.
However, Zambia forward Fashion Sakala says his game has improved since he moved to the Middle East from Scottish giants Rangers.
“People expect that my level has dropped, or levels of other African players have dropped,” the 26-year-old told BBC Sport Africa.
“It’s not like that for me. I think my performance is becoming even better.”
Former Cameroon international Sebastien Bassong believes Saudi-based players are going to be “mentally ready” to compete for their countries in West Africa.
Meanwhile, he thinks that cohort could even have an advantage over their counterparts playing in Europe in acclimatising to conditions in Ivory Coast.
“They’re playing at a different temperature,” Bassong told the BBC’s Football Daily podcast.
“I think it’s going to be an advantage for them, because they’re not going to have to adapt from the cold to the heat of Ivory Coast.”
Sakala has certainly found a big difference during his time with Al-Fayha following stints in Russia, Belgium and Scotland.
“It’s always difficult to adapt, sometimes you make a short sprint, you’re already tired,” he explains.
“Then you start asking yourself if you’re fit enough to play games, but then you understand that it’s just the weather.”
