Kareem Berkaoui Returns to Lead Al Dhafra Attack in Pro League

By James Mercer • 9 September 2026, 18:04 • 3 mins read

Al Dhafra has removed Rejinaldo Lushkja from its first-team roster and reinstated Moroccan striker Kareem Berkaoui, who scored 11 goals in 18 matches last season, in a move to strengthen the club's attack for the current campaign.

Al Dhafra has dropped Albanian midfielder Rejinaldo Lushkja from the first team and brought back Moroccan striker Kareem Berkaoui. The club is turning to Berkaoui's track record in front of goal to address its struggles in the ADNOC Pro League.

Berkaoui's return is a direct response to the team's lack of goals. Last season, he scored 11 times in 18 league matches, making him one of the squad's most reliable forwards. When he left at the end of the previous campaign, Al Dhafra lost its main attacking threat-a gap Lushkja, despite his experience in midfield, could not fill.

On September 6, 2026, Berkaoui was officially included in Al Dhafra's matchday squad against Al Wahda, confirming his re-registration as more than just an announcement.

Flashscore

Lushkja joined from Tractor in July, with hopes that his experience would add creativity and stability. But he played only 181 minutes across three league games and did not register a goal or assist. The team's attack stalled, and the need for a proven finisher became clear.

By removing Lushkja from the squad and re-registering Berkaoui, Al Dhafra is making its priorities clear. The club is not willing to continue with a misfiring attack and is relying on a player who has already shown he can deliver in the UAE's top division.

This is more than a routine squad change. It signals that the club's summer signings did not have the desired effect. Al Dhafra's management is now counting on Berkaoui's instincts in front of goal to turn the season around. The move highlights the risks of speculative transfers and the value of players with a proven record in a results-driven league. If Berkaoui matches last season's form, Al Dhafra's attack could recover. If not, the club's ambitions will remain out of reach.

According to multiple club-linked sources, Berkaoui chose to remain in the UAE and continue his career with Al Dhafra, despite interest from Wydad Casablanca. This preference influenced the club's decision to re-sign him rather than pursue a new foreign striker, as reported by YSscores and Anwar Press. The official club statement described the move as a 're-signing' of their former Moroccan forward, emphasizing it was a formal and strategic decision ahead of the new season.

YSscores and Anwar Press

Ahram Gate and Africa Soccer both reported that Al Dhafra officially "re-signed" Berkaoui ahead of the new UAE ADNOC Pro League season, making it clear the move was deliberate and formal. As of early September 2026, some squad lists still included Lushkja, suggesting his removal from registration may have happened after initial lineups were published or reflected differences between aggregator data and the club's official roster.

Berkaoui's scoring record is confirmed by several sources, including YSscores and Africa Soccer, which both report he scored between 10 and 11 goals in 18 league matches last season. This consistency explains why Al Dhafra prioritized his return to solve their attacking problems.

Topics: UAE Football Clubs Football Analysis #Al Dhafra FC

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James Mercer

James Mercer is the Founder, Owner, Publisher and Managing Director of UAE CUE Sports, where he oversees editorial direction and the publication's development across the Emirates. He writes about UAE sport, sports media, major events, venues, sports business and the wider relationship between participation, audiences and the country's sporting industry.