Tariq Al-Saktiwi appointed as coach of the Oman national team, succeeding Queiroz
Tariq Al-Saktiwi appointed as coach of the Oman national team
The Oman Football Association announced the appointment of Moroccan coach Tarik Sektioui to lead the Omani national football team in the upcoming period. This strategic move comes as part of the association's efforts to strengthen the Omani national team and prepare it for upcoming continental and international competitions, most notably the joint Asian qualifiers for the World Cup and the Asian Cup. The Omani sporting community is placing high hopes on the new coach's experience to bring about a significant improvement in the team's performance.
Background to Carlos Queiroz's departure and the new contract
This appointment came after the Omani Football Association announced its amicable separation from veteran Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz. Queiroz had briefly taken charge, but the team's technical direction for the upcoming period necessitated a change in management. In an official statement published on its verified Twitter account (formerly known as "X"), the Omani FA explained that the Moroccan coach would assume full technical oversight, aiming to achieve positive results that reflect the aspirations of Oman's passionate football fans.
Sektioui's career and training achievements
Tariq Sektioui is considered one of the most prominent coaching names to have emerged in the Arab and African football scene recently. Sektioui possesses exceptional technical expertise accumulated since his time as a professional player at major European clubs such as Porto in Portugal, before transitioning to coaching and achieving remarkable success. He has made a clear mark at both club and national team levels, leading Morocco's RS Berkane to victory in the CAF Confederation Cup. He also achieved an unprecedented historical feat by guiding the Moroccan Olympic team to a bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Furthermore, his name has risen to prominence following successes in tournaments, most notably leading his team to victory in the Arab Club Championship hosted by Doha, Qatar, last year, after a thrilling final match that ended 3-2 in extra time against Jordan at the Lusail Stadium.
Omani football aspirations in the next stage
The Moroccan coaching school currently represents a model to be emulated globally, which encouraged the Omani Football Association to take this step. The Omani national team, which previously won the Arabian Gulf Cup in 2009 and 2017, aspires to reclaim its regional glory and move towards achieving its ultimate dream: reaching the World Cup finals for the first time in its history. This stage requires a concerted effort between the new coaching staff and the players, especially since Omani football possesses young talents capable of making a difference when provided with the right technical leadership.
Tariq Al-Saktiwi is expected to begin his duties immediately by evaluating the current squad and monitoring local league matches to select the most suitable players to represent the national team. Sports fans in Oman and the Arab world eagerly await the national team's debut under Al-Saktiwi's leadership, hoping that the coming period will bring technical stability that will positively impact the team's overall performance.
