Oil Blocks the Lead: Iraqi Premier League Race Heats Up as Duhok and Naft Deliver
23 December 2025
Round 8 in the Iraqi Premier League brings drama
The Air Force Club stumbled to a goalless draw away at Naft on Tuesday, as part of the eighth round of the Iraqi league.
Under Omani coach Rashid Jaber, Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya could not secure a win and failed to profit from Erbil's slip the previous day, as Erbil were held by Diyala.
Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya remains on 17 points, in second place, three points behind Erbil, the leaders.
Naft sit 13th with 10 points in the standings after holding Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya to a goalless draw.
In contrast, Duhok defeated Najaf 1-0 at home in the same round.
Duhok's Senegalese forward Junior Sambou opened the scoring after 11 minutes, lifting the hosts to 8 points and 15th place.
Najaf remained 16th with 6 points after their sixth defeat of the campaign.
Duhok's win lifted them to 8 points while Najaf's run of poor form continues.
Erbil's management will hope to maintain the form as the title race heats up.
Punchline 1: If football ran on oil, the league would be a gas station—every match refuels at different prices.
Punchline 2: In this title chase, the only thing predictable is the unpredictability of the goalposts.
