Al Ain loses Keita for at least six weeks

Ibrahima Keita, the midfielder from the Ivory Coast, will be lost to Al Ain for at least six weeks and perhaps for two months with a knee injury, the club announced today.

Keita was hurt Saturday night in his first match for Al Ain, two days after he arrived in the UAE from Al Qadasiya, a Kuwait club. Keita was himself a replacement for another injured foreigner, the striker Soufiane Alloudi of Morocco.

According to the club, Keita said he already feels comfortable with Al Ain, the most successful team (nine championship) in UAE club history.

"I felt familiar with my teammates during the Dubai match," he said. "I know the Al Ain team very well and my teammates also welcomed me. I didn't feel that it was my first time to play with Al Ain; everyone gave me a feeling that I have been with the club a long time.

"I await the management decision about my injury and I will continue my treatment program at Al Ain clinic."