Jires Kembo Ekoko has described his return to Al Ain as a “homecoming” as he aims to again prove his worth to the 11-time UAE champions.
The Frenchman is back in the Garden City following a year-long loan at El Jaish, the Qatari Stars League side, and is determined to help fire his parent club to more honours.
Kembo Ekoko was a key member of Al Ain's 2012/13 championship-winning team – his debut season in the Emirates – scoring 13 goals in all competitions. He was loaned to El Jaish last summer to make space for Michel Bastos, the Brazilian winger, who in January was then sent out to Roma in Italy's Serie A. Al Ain had investigated the possibility of recalling Kembo Ekoko then.
However, the former Rennes striker had to wait until this month, when Zlatko Dalic, the Al Ain coach, requested his return. Kembo Ekoko takes one of the club’s foreign-player slots, joining Asamoah Gyan, the forward with whom he formed a prolific partnership with two seasons ago, and new signings Miroslav Stoch and Lee Myung-joo.
“I really feel that I’m back home with my family,” Kembo Ekoko said. “Despite spending only two years in the Gulf, I have a great connection with Al Ain. When I was with El Jaish I was still in contact with the players and Al Ain’s great fans. I thank Zlatko for the trust he has placed in me and I’m confident that I’m a professional player who can play at any club in the world.”
Kembo Ekoko’s performances for El Jaish convinced Dalic to bring him back to Al Ain, with the frontman scoring four goals in 16 league matches as the Doha club secured a runner-up finish.
Dalic said: “We have a tough mission in the coming season, with huge challenges awaiting us both inside and outside the country, so I asked the board for excellent players with high speed and skills.
“Kembo impressed me before I came to Al Ain, during my time as Al Hilal coach. It is better for the team to have a player back who already has a good understanding with his teammates.”
jmcauley@thenational.ae
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