Ibrahima Toure's no-show wasn't easy on us: Ivan Jovanovic

Dubai - Al Nasr seeking fresh-faced forward and a new way to play

 Ivan Jovanovic has admitted Ibrahima Toure's AWOL antics over the summer left Al Nasr with a difficult dilemma to solve and consequently caused a switch in their style of play.
The Blue Wave's Senegalese striker didn't return on time for pre-season training for the second year in succession back in July, with a chronic lack of communication leaving club officials exasperated with his increasingly erratic behaviour.
Nasr have since signed Brazilian forward Nilmar and Congolese-French frontman Jires Kembo Ekoko in Toure's continued absence and it is clear the stay-away striker is no longer welcome back in the first-team fold at Al Maktoum Stadium here.
"Sometimes, players take decisions that only they can explain," said Nasr's Serbian coach ahead of this afternoon's (Friday's) Arabian Gulf Cup (AGC) match at home to Al Wasl (Kick-off: 5:45pm).
"It was a big surprise for us, with him having represented our club for two years. But - because of the way he was acting - it created problems for the club and him.
"As a result, at the end of the training camp, we needed a new striker and that wasn't an easy procedure. We had a striker (Toure), but we didn't know where he was or when he would return, so we had to find another one. That hasn't been easy for us because we have had to change how we programme the team.
"This is a concern for the board though and not us as a coaching staff. Ibrahima has one more season left on his three-year deal and - once you have a contract - it means you have an obligation to that commitment as a professional footballer."
However, for now, Jovanovic's focus is rightly on the players currently at his disposal and today's Oud Metha derby with Gabriel Calderon's Cheetahs XI.
He hopes the outing provides Kembo Ekoko a further opportunity to step up his fitness and performance levels in what is expected to be a tough, top-of-the-table tussle in Group A for all concerned.
"It's a very important fixture in the second round of the Arabian Gulf Cup," Jovanovic admitted. "Both teams started with victories (Nasr beat Bani Yas 1-0 and Wasl overcame Al Shaab 2-0). We want to win this game as well and we're preparing with all seriousness, as we've done for all our previous matches.
"Everyone likes to win and we try to win every game. Al Wasl is a strong team and we can expect a good and interesting match."
Meanwhile, Calderon was unrepentant after seeing his appeals to have the late afternoon kick-off time put back seemingly fall on deaf ears.
The Argentinian boss had previously argued staunchly that the lives of the players and referee were being put at considerable risk by playing in the high temperatures and humidity at this time of year.
"It's a free country and you can say what you like," Calderon commented. "I was speaking for the good of UAE football, but others make the decisions and they have to take responsibility for those decisions.
"I have to respect the decision now. I have no power to change things and we need to play - hopefully, we won't have any problems. I've no need to say any more."
alex@khaleejtimes.com 

nation

Victory for Al Nasr over Bani Yas in the Arabian Gulf Cup clash

1-0

I was speaking for the good of UAE football
Gabriel Calderon