Tarek Mostafa hails Al-Faisaly’s challenging start after Jordanian Super Cup triumph

Tarek Mostafa says Al-Faisaly’s strong opening to the season has come despite the difficulties created by a new board, a large number of new signings and a demanding fixture schedule.

Mostafa took charge of the Jordanian club before the campaign began and guided them to the Jordanian Super Cup, their first success in the competition since 2019. Al-Faisaly secured the trophy against Al-Wehdat and Al-Hussein Irbid.

Speaking to Modern Sport, Mostafa said: “The beginning was difficult because a new board of directors had been appointed and a large number of new players had joined the team. We won the Jordanian Super Cup against Al-Wehdat and Al-Hussein Irbid, a title that had been absent for years.”

The manager also pointed to the international commitments of several members of his squad and the demanding start to their league campaign.

“The team has six or seven players in the Jordan national team, and we began the league with a derby against Al-Wehdat,” he said. “The matches are very difficult and are not as easy as the supporters might imagine.”

Al-Faisaly opened their league campaign with the derby before continuing their involvement in domestic and continental football. Mostafa revealed that the club will face a particularly congested period, with seven matches scheduled over 25 days in the Jordanian league and the AFC Champions League Two.

“We will play seven matches in 25 days between the Jordanian league and the AFC Champions League Two,” he said.

The club currently lead the Jordanian league with 13 points from five rounds. Their continental campaign has produced one victory from two matches, leaving them third in Group C on three points.

Al-Faisaly’s group also contains Saudi Arabian side Al-Taawoun, Qatar’s Al Rayyan and Omani club Al-Nahda.

Mostafa also addressed the appointment of Imad Al Nahhas as manager of Al-Wehdat. The pair have not met since Al Nahhas took charge after the start of the season.

“I did not face Imad Al Nahhas, the Al-Wehdat manager, because he became the team’s coach after the season had started,” Mostafa said. “I wish him success.”