UAE Pro League review: new champions and big crowds in a season for the ages

An ADNOC Pro League campaign for the ages is over.

Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai Club confounded pre-season doubts to secure a first top-flight title since 2017’s merger, while promoted Dibba Al-Fujairah and long-suffering Al-Dhafra face First Division League football next term.

Plenty else happened along the way. Here are Arab News’ highlights from an unforgettable 2022-23.

Best player

He didn’t end the season as champion, but no one can doubt Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba’s status as a Pro League great.

The Al-Ain hit man stormed to a second consecutive Golden Boot with 28 goals from 26 runouts. Only a trio of these were penalties — nearly half (13) of second-placed Ali Mabkhout’s 27-goal tally — came from the spot.

Laba was also this term’s clutch performer, with 10 strikes coming versus top-half sides. There were also matchweek two’s “super hat-trick” against Dhafra, a burgeoning chemistry with Morocco winger Soufiane Rahimi and a long list of memorable celebrations.

This was a special season, from a very special player.

Best coach

One man can change everything.

This is exactly what happened at Shabab Al-Ahli when they adroitly identified Leonardo Jardim as the boss to transform them from serial cup winners into top-flight champions.

Initial teething problems after a quiet start to the summer transfer market and opening 2-0 defeat to red-hot favorites Sharjah soon dissipated. Jardim’s paternal nature and proven history of incubating elite talent — Kylian Mbappe at Monaco, for starters — were key.

UAE full-back Ahmed Jamil, Uzbekistan midfielder Azizjon Ganiev, Brazilian forward Igor Jesus and UAE prospect Yahya Al-Ghassani (more on him later) all responded with landmark campaigns.

His tactical acumen also, critically,