The Moroccan coach Hussein Amotta led the Jordanian national team to reach the final of the 2023 Asian Cup after defeating South Korea by two goals to nil, securing their first-ever entry into the final.
Amotta’s success with the “Nashama” (the nickname of the Jordanian team) is noteworthy given the skepticism surrounding him prior to the tournament’s commencement.
However, he remained focused solely on his team, taking each step cautiously, eventually rewriting history for the Jordanian national team.
Amotta, the current head coach of the Jordanian team and former coach of the Moroccan national team and Wydad Club, was initially underestimated by many before the tournament.
However, his strategic approach and meticulous planning have propelled Jordan to unprecedented success in the Asian Cup.
Despite facing criticism following four defeats in September and October, including losses to Saudi Arabia and a draw with Tajikistan, Amotta remained steadfast.
Marwan Juma’a, Vice President of the Jordan Football Association, reiterated the commitment to Amotta amid mounting pressure, underscoring the federation’s trust in the Moroccan coach.
In a matter of weeks, the Jordanian Football Association’s decision was vindicated as Amotta achieved what no other coach had done before, including legends like Mahmoud El-Jawhari and Hossam Hassan.
Under his guidance, Jordan secured victories in three matches and suffered only one defeat in the group stage, showcasing Amotta’s tactical acumen and leadership.
Jordan’s performance in the tournament under Amotta’s guidance has been remarkable.
Scoring 12 goals in a single edition of the Asian Cup is unprecedented for the team, surpassing their previous best of five goals in the 2011 and 2015 tournaments.
Defensively, Jordan has also displayed resilience, keeping clean sheets in three matches, a feat achieved only twice before in the country’s history, in 2004 and 2019.
Aside from winning the African Nations Championship with Morocco in 2021, Amotta’s recent success with the Jordanian national team stands out as a testament to his coaching abilities.
Despite facing challenges with local clubs in Morocco, Amotta’s achievements with Jordan in the Asian Cup highlight his true potential as a coach.
