Al Najma, Manama Off to Winning Starts

TDT | Manama

Email : hussainm@newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain’s 2025–26 promotion and relegation playoffs kicked off last night, with four teams competing in a single round-robin league system for a place in next season’s Nasser bin Hamad Premier League. The top two teams at the end of the mini-league will secure Premier League football; the remaining two will compete in the First Division next season.

Opening fixtures saw Al Najma take a 2-1 comeback win over Al Ettihad, while Manama got the better of Budaiya with a 1-0 victory to secure maximum points on matchday one.

At Al Ahli Club Stadium, Al Ettihad struck first in the 50th minute when Mohammed Al Mohsin capitalised on a poor clearance from Al Najma goalkeeper Ammar Mohammed, taking possession and finishing emphatically from outside the box.

Al Najma responded eight minutes later through Zachary Hadji, who is notably the son of Moroccan football legend Mustapha Hadji. The equaliser came after Faisal Bodahoom slipped a through ball to Mohammed Abdulqayoom on the left by-line, who drilled a low cross into the area for Hadji to finish with a delicate backheel into the far corner.

Al Ettihad’s hopes of regaining the lead took a massive blow in the 77th minute when Nigerian Fortune Gbobie was sent off for time wasting, receiving a second yellow card. Referee Ismaeel Habib did not hesitate and immediately gave him his marching orders. Not long after, Hadji got his brace to give Al Najma a 2-1 win and complete the comeback.

Ali Al Romaihi produced a wonderful piece of skill to get past his marker, then floated the ball into the middle of the box. Faisal Bodahoom headed it back across goal, and Hadji turned sharply to finish into the top corner without even looking at the net.

The result gives coach Mohamed Shamlan’s side early hope of retaining their place in the top flight, while Al Ettihad will need to regroup to escape the First Division.

At Bahrain National Stadium, First Division side Manama edged Budaiya in the other fixture of the night. Budaiya’s hopes took an early blow when they were reduced to ten men in the 15th minute. After reviewing the incident, referee Ahmed Khalil issued Clement Ogbobe a straight red card for an elbow on Mehdi Abdullatif.

Manama made the advantage count just before half-time when Nemanja Nikolić reacted quickest inside the box after a partially cleared effort from Budaiya’s Hamad Fuad. The Bosnian fullback guided his finish past goalkeeper Abdullah Frieh to seal the win.

The play-offs will continue this Monday when Budaiya face Al Najma at the National Stadium, while Manama take on Al Ettihad at Al Ahli Stadium. Both matches are again set for simultaneous 7pm kickoffs.