ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdish leaders extended their congratulations to Duhok Sports Club after it made history on Tuesday night by winning the Gulf Club Champions League for the first time in the club’s history.
In a statement he posted on X, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani expressed his joy, stating, “From my heart and warmly, I congratulate the beloved Duhok Club for their victory today, becoming the champions of the Gulf Cup for the first time.”
President Barzani praised Duhok SC’s victory and beautiful performance that “made all of us in Kurdistan and throughout Iraq happy,” adding, “We are all proud of Duhok Club and this victory.”
The Kurdistan Region President had, ahead of the game, shared a post on his Facebook page writing, “We are all cheering on Duhok.”
Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani also celebrated Duhok SC’s victory alongside the massive crowd at Duhok International Stadium, where the decisive match took place.
In a statement on X, PM Barzani extended his “warm congratulations to all Duhok [Soccer Club] players, the people of Duhok and Kurdistan” for the win.
The KRG premier described the victory as a “great achievement” and a “source of pride for all of us,” adding, “I wish success for all sports clubs in the Kurdistan Region.”
Duhok’s football club made history by defeating Kuwait’s Qadsia SC 2-1 in the Gulf Clubs Champions League final.
Siyaband Ageed of Duhok SC scored the opening goal in the 65th minute, followed by a quick equalizer from Qadsia SC’s Mohammed Sawlah.
In the dying moments of the match, Marlom Santos of Duhok sealed the victory with a powerful header in the 92nd minute, sending football fans into a frenzy.
The win sparked celebrations across the Kurdistan Region, especially since it marked the first-ever title for Duhok SC in the Gulf Clubs Champions League.
Tuesday’s victory followed a tightly contested first leg held in Kuwait last week, which ended in a goalless draw, making Tuesday’s match even more intense.
The 2024-25 tournament was the 31st edition of the regional competition and introduced a new format, featuring clubs from Iraq and Yemen for the first time.
The tournament included top teams from Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.
