Dreams, Injuries, and a Final: Jordan's Coach Checks On His Star After ACL Surgery

Update ahead of the Arab Cup final

Morocco-born Jordan head coach Jamal Al-Salami visited his player Yazan Al-Na’imat, a star of Al-Arabi in Qatar and the Nashama national team, at the Aspetar facility after a successful ACL repair.

The purpose was to check on Na’imat after the operation today, Wednesday, and offer encouragement.

Na’imat told his coach, "I saw you in my dreams, Sir," and playfully added, "Jamal Al-Salami, I saw you in my dreams."

The coach's message and the road to the final

The Jordan manager spoke at a pre-match press conference ahead of Thursday’s Arab Cup final against Morocco in Qatar, stressing that everyone in the Nashama squad wants to win the Arab Cup and dedicate it to Na’imat.

He noted that Na’imat’s absence is meaningful but unavoidable, and must be managed as in the previous match with Saudi Arabia.

Jordan will face Morocco tomorrow Thursday in the Arab Cup final staged in Qatar.

Punchline 1: If the final goes to penalties, the only thing finer than the nerves will be the coffee at the press conference.

Punchline 2: After his dream visit, the coach might just dream of lifting the trophy—then wake up to say, "Yes, we did it."