Ben Zekri races off - again - after keeping Al Kholood up | OneFootball

The final whistle sounded and off he went.

If you’ve seen it before, it’s because that’s what he does. After all, Noureddine Ben Zekri is the Roshn Saudi League’s survival specialist for a reason.

Appointed at Al Kholood in October, seven months later the Algerian had delivered on his remit. On Wednesday night in Ar Rass, his side ran out 2-0 winners against Al Fayha, the RSL debutants sealing a second season in the Saudi top flight with a round to spare.

Survival secure, Ben Zekri then ran off himself. Just as he did 12 months ago having masterminded Al Okhdood’s great escape; just like he did previously at Damac.

It’s a now-iconic celebration. The Al Kholood players trailed in the fleet-footed 60-year-old’s wake.

Having replaced Paulo Duarte ahead of Matchweek 7, the penultimate round of the 2024-25 campaign brought relief and racing around the Al Hazem Club Stadium pitch.

Ben Zekri’s record at the Ar Rass club reads a respectable 10 wins and three draws from 27 RSL matches. Crucially, it was enough. Al Kholood are safe.

Al Fayha, too, despite the defeat. At 37 and 36 points, respectively, the pair sit 11th and 12th in the table and thus cannot be dragged down.

On Wednesday, there was no dragging back Ben Zekri. He did what he was brought into Al Kholood to do. Then he did what he always does. Off he went - again.