KSAsportz report
**HONG KONG** — Al Nassr manager Jorge Jesus is expressing unwavering confidence in his team’s preparations for the Saudi Super Cup final against Al Ahli, set to take place on Saturday at Hong Kong Stadium. The Portuguese coach emphasized that his squad is fully capable of clinching the trophy, even in the absence of star forward Sadio Mane.
At the pre-match press conference, Jesus described the final as a pivotal moment showcasing the growth of Saudi football on a global platform. “This final is another milestone in my career, and I believe tomorrow can be my first title with Al Nassr. We’re facing a strong opponent who looks better than last season, but we are prepared,” he stated.
He added, “This is a celebration of Saudi football. The whole world will be watching, and it reflects the tremendous work being done here. We look forward to a great match and to bringing the trophy back to Riyadh.” This sentiment aligns with statistics showing that Saudi football’s viewership has surged by 40% over the past year, highlighting its rising profile.
Despite Mane’s significant absence, Jesus assured that the team has effective replacements: “Of course, replacing Mane is difficult, but we have options and we’ll decide in training who will step up.”
When questioned about predicting a victory, the 70-year-old tactician adopted a cautious stance, stating, “No one can guarantee wins in football, especially in finals. The game is played on the pitch, not in press conferences. But I trust my team’s ability, and we have been preparing for a month. I hope we can deliver the win.”
Echoing his coach’s optimism, Spanish defender Iñigo Martínez remarked, “I’m proud to play my first final with Al Nassr. We showed in the last match, even with 10 men, that we have unity and strength. If we play together, we can beat Al Ahli and celebrate with our fans back in Riyadh.”
Martínez highlighted the welcoming atmosphere since joining the club, noting that his experience has facilitated a swift adaptation: “Step by step, we’ll get better. Finals are unpredictable, but we have the quality and belief to win.”
The Saudi Super Cup final is set to kick off Saturday evening, with Cristiano Ronaldo anticipated as a major draw for the largely Al Nassr-supportive crowd, amid rising attendance figures that indicate a 30% increase in fans attending matches this season.