Al Wahda boss Josef Hickersberger believes Hamdan Al Kamali’s loan move to Lyon could ultimately benefit the UAE national team.
The Austrian coach was told by the club’s commercial director yesterday morning that Al Kamali had flown to France to tie up a six-month loan deal, that could become permanent should the defender impress between now and June 30.
The defender leaves for Europe with the blessing of Wahda President Sheikh Diab Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who said in a statement that he was keen to see the club’s members seek professional careers outside of the UAE that would help improve the national team.
And while the move gives Hickersberger an immediate selection headache – especially with fellow international defender Saeed Basheer moving to Al Ahli earlier this month – he acknowledges it could help improve the image and standard of UAE football.
“It’s a really good chance for him, a big opportunity to play for one of the best teams in Europe,” the 63-year-old told Sport360°.“It’s also good for the UAE to have young players playing abroad with these opportunities.”
Al Kamali will undergo a medical in France ahead of putting pen to paper on the short-term contract with Remi Garde’s side.
Former Arsenal player Garde has finally got his man after a pursuit that began at the end of the last transfer window, having been impressed with the player while watching the UAE play.
Lyon, who are without Bakary Kone for the duration of the Africa Cup of Nations, reignited their interest in Al Kamali ahead of the January transfer window, sending a club representative to the UAE to sound out the player over a possible move.
Wahda initially resisted the French club’s advances for the UAE international – holding out for a transfer fee in the region of €5m (Dh24.26m) – but relented after it became apparent Al Kamali had his heart set on the move.
No fee has been paid by Lyon for the loan, but Sport360° understands one would be required to make the move permanent.
Hickersberger conceded that Al Kamali’s move leaves an already paper-thin Wahda squad short on cover at the back, and with neither the time nor the money to bring in replacements.
But he is happy to work with the players he has at his disposal and has called on Omani international defender Mohammed Al Sheibah to fill the void. Al Sheibah joined Wahda after being deemed surplus at Al Wasl by Diego Maradona.
“For sure, those two were internationals and special players in our defence. But we have Mohammed Al Sheibah. There will be a lot of pressure on Sheibah because he can now become a very important player for the team,” Hickersberger said.
