Al-Zaki: We will do our best to win the 2027 Asian Cup

Amman - AFP - Moroccan coach Badou Zaki, manager of the Jordan national team, announced the "Al-Nashama" squad for two friendly matches against Syria and Venezuela, as part of preparations for the AFC Asian Cup finals scheduled to begin early next year in Saudi Arabia.

Speaking at a press conference held on Thursday at the headquarters of the Jordan Football Association to officially announce the Al-Nashama list, Zaki said: "We aim to add professionalism and sincerity in our work, and to build confidence. We know there is significant pressure following Al-Nashama's runner-up finishes in the AFC Asian Cup and the Arab Cup, but we will do our utmost to win the 2027 AFC Asian Cup."

The squad list was marked by the absence of striker Yazan Al-Naimat, who is continuing his treatment and rehabilitation following a torn anterior cruciate ligament sustained during Jordan's match against Iraq in the quarter-finals of the Arab Cup late last year in Qatar.

Commenting on Al-Naimat's absence, Zaki said, "We are closely monitoring Yazan Al-Naimat's condition and maintaining constant communication with the medical staff," adding, "There is no specific date for Yazan's return to the pitch, but we hope he recovers quickly and is available to us for the AFC Asian Cup."

Regarding the call-up of goalkeeper Yazid Abu Layla, despite his recent inconsistent form, Zaki stated, "Abu Layla has the opportunity to be part of Al-Nashama... but performance will determine who the team's starting goalkeeper is in the coming phase."

The list also saw the return of the duo Yusuf Abu Jalboush, nicknamed "Saisa," who recently transferred to Algerian club USM Alger, and Ahmed Al-Arsan, the top scorer of the local league last season with Al-Wehdat, netting 15 goals. Neither was part of Al-Nashama's squad for the World Cup.

Zaki is preparing to begin a new phase with the Jordan national team, following the historic participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals, which marked the team's first World Cup appearance under the guidance of Moroccan coach Jamal Salami.

Al-Nashama's first appearance under Zaki, who was appointed on July 19, will be a friendly match against their Syrian counterparts on Sunday, September 27, at King Abdullah II Stadium, ahead of a match against Venezuela on October 6.

The draw for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, to be held between January 7 and February 5, placed Jordan in Group Two alongside Uzbekistan, Bahrain, and North Korea.