KEY PLAYER: JIRES KEMBO EKOKO – Al Nasr AFC Champions League Record Appearances: 30 Goals: 5 PROFILE Born in Congo but raised in France, 28-year-old Jires Kembo Ekoko has been a regular fixture in club football in the United Arab Emirates since joining Al Ain in 2012 from French side Rennes. Kembo Ekoko spent three seasons at Al Ain – one of which was on loan with Qatar’s El Jaish – before signing last summer for Al Nasr and taking part in his fourth edition of the AFC Champions League. He scored 11 times in all competitions last season, with nine in the UAE league and one in the AFC Champions League, a fine individual effort in the Group Stage against Lokomotiv.
