Al Faisaly set to appoint Joao Mota after decision to dismiss Tarek Mostafa

Al Faisaly are closing in on the appointment of Portuguese coach Joao Mota after deciding to end Tarek Mostafa’s time in charge, according to Jordanian sports broadcaster Al Riyadiah.

Mostafa’s expected departure comes despite Al Faisaly leading the Egyptian league. The Jordanian club’s latest setback was a 3-1 defeat by Saudi Arabian side Al Taawoun in the group stage of the AFC Champions League Two.

Al Riyadiah presenter Laith Al Saud reported that Al Faisaly’s management had decided to dismiss the Egyptian coach. The channel also said an agreement had been completed with Joao Mota to take over from him.

Mota recently left his position as manager of Iraqi club Al Yarmouk. He has previously coached Sudanese club Al Hilal and Jordanian side Al Hussein.

The managerial change follows a result that left Al Faisaly facing a difficult task to reach the knockout stage of the AFC Champions League Two. They remain third in their group on three points with two matches left to play.

Al Rayyan are second on nine points, while Al Taawoun lead the standings with 10 points. Al Faisaly must now compete for one of the two available places in the last 16.

Al Taawoun took the lead in the 43rd minute when Parfait Guiagon found the net. Their advantage was doubled shortly after half-time, with Morocco forward Abderrazak Hamdallah converting a penalty in the 48th minute.

Al Faisaly were handed a route back into the match when Al Taawoun defender Mohamed Al-Saadi scored an own goal. Hamdallah restored the Saudi side’s two-goal advantage in the 70th minute to complete the scoring.

The defeat further reduced Al Faisaly’s chances of progressing from the group, with only two rounds remaining before the group stage concludes.

Their next fixture is against Shabab Al Jordan on 8 November in the Jordanian league. Al Faisaly currently sit at the top of that competition after seven rounds, having collected 14 points.

However, their recent domestic form has been less convincing. They have drawn one and lost one of their past two league matches, adding to the pressure on Mostafa and his coaching staff.

Calls for the Egyptian manager’s dismissal had grown despite Al Faisaly’s position at the summit of the Jordanian league. The club’s defeat by Al Taawoun has now been followed by reports that the decision to replace him has been taken, with Joao Mota expected to succeed him.