Ahead of the start to the 2015/16 Arabian Gulf League season, The National will preview the fortunes for each of the UAE's 14 top-flight clubs. Here, a look at newly-promoted Dibba.
Outlook
Returning to the Arabian Gulf League as Division One champions, two years after finishing second from bottom on their debut in the top division, Dibba have been very busy in the summer, assembling a squad that hopes to do more than prop up the table.
The focus seems to have been on putting together an experienced quartet at the back: Dibba have brought in Burkina Faso centre-back Bakary Kone, Lebanon’s Bilal Najjarine and the veteran Emirati duo of Mohammed Qassim and Khalifa Ibrahim for that purpose.
Brazilian Elias Luiz, another man with considerable experience, will be guiding the Dibba midfield. Boris Kabi, formerly of Ajman, will lead the attack.
Theo Bucker, the former Schalke and Dortmund midfield star, has been handed the task of guiding the team and club officials have high hopes from him. A former coach of the prominent Egypt side Zamalek, the German worked wonders with the Lebanon national team and Dibba will be hoping he can do the same at the Fujairah club.
“Bucker has achieved great success in Lebanon, with both the national team and [Beirut club] Nejmeh,” said Juma Abdouly, director of the Dibba football team. “He led them to the title in 2013/14 and a top-three finish last season. So we have a lot of expectations from him.”
Foreign quartet
Bilal Najjarine: The Beirut native, 34, rejoins Dibba after two seasons with Al Dhafra, where he played 46 of a possible 52 league matches. He played in 11 matches for Dibba in the second half of the 2012/13 season.
Elias Luiz: A well-travelled defensive midfielder, the 31-year-old Brazilian played alongside Al Nasr newcomer Nilmar earlier in his career and could be a valuable addition.
Bakary Kone: The Burkina Faso centre-back arrives from French club Lyon and, given his experience, the 27-year-old could be a tough man to pass.
Boris Kabi: One of the stars of the Arabian Gulf League during his three seasons at Ajman, where he scored 47 goals, the 30-year-old Ivorian must carry the attack.
Key Emirati players
Dibba have a young group of nationals, with players like Tariq Ahmed, Ahmed Dhanhani and Sanad Ali looking for their opportunity to shine. The club have also brought in experienced campaigners like Mohammed Qassim, Ahmed Essa and Khalifa Ibrahim to give the squad balance.
Manager
Theo Bucker. The German, 67, has coached in the region since 2000, leading clubs in Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon, including the national team, who made history in 2012 by qualifying for the final round of AFC World Cup qualifying. He may be best remembered locally for leading the Lebanon side who shocked the UAE 3-1 in a World Cup qualifier in Beirut in September 2011, leading to the post-match sacking of UAE coach Srecko Katanec.
The National verdict
Dibba have chosen their foreign quartet wisely. Najjarine, Kone and Kabi boast years of experience playing in the UAE and the region. Luiz also looks like a solid choice pick and if the club’s young Emiratis can rise to the occasion, the promoted side could surprise a few of the big clubs.
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