Mo Diame plays full game but loses first game since leaving Newcastle

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Mo Diame was not offered a new contract by Newcastle at the end of last season, and subsequently signed for Qatari side Al Ahli on a free transfer.

It was not a surprise when it was announced he would leave, with him seemingly held back from making the number of starts that would automatically trigger a one-year extension to his deal.

With him still capable of playing in some of the high-profile leagues in Europe, his destination was something of a shock, however.

The Qatar Stars League got underway at the weekend, and Diame’s first game was an away game against Doha city rivals Al Arabi.

Mo Diame played the full game for Al Ahli

Diame played the full 90 minutes for his new side, but could not prevent them losing 3-1, with his side’s goal coming from Newcastle star Miguel Almiron’s Paraguayan international teammate Hernan Perez.

The home side had their star summer signing – former German international Pierre-Michel Lasogga – in their lineup, and he scored the host side’s second goal, which was sandwiched between a brace from strike partner, Tunisian forward Hamdi Harbaoui.

It was a disappointing start for Diame, who will be hoping to end Al Ahli’s silverware drought, with the club having not won a trophy since the last of their four Qatar Cup successes in 1992.

Al Ahli, and Diame, will have a chance to get their season on-track this weekend, in their home opener against another Doha rival, Al-Sailiya, on Saturday.