Montenegrin Nebojsa Jovovic

KUWAIT CITY, April 13: Kuwait Club’s Montenegrin coach, Nebojsa Jovovic, has reaffirmed that securing the Zain Premier League title remains his top priority, expressing confidence in his squad’s ability to maintain momentum in the final stretch of the season.

Kuwait currently sits atop the standings with a four-point lead over second-placed Al-Arabi, with just four rounds remaining.

Following Kuwait Club’s 3-0 victory over Al-Jazeera in the preliminary round of the Amir Cup, Jovovic described the win as an important step toward competing seriously in every tournament. "Reaching the quarterfinals is a great achievement and a reflection of our ambition," he said.

He acknowledged the unpredictable nature of cup competitions, stating, "Cup matches are often full of surprises. That’s why I instructed the players to score early—and they delivered with three goals in the first 30 minutes."

Jovovic noted the team's drop in tempo during the second half, attributing it to securing the win early, despite making some substitutions to inject fresh energy. He also highlighted the upcoming league fixture against Al-Fahaheel next Saturday, saying, “We have time to prepare, and we respect the quality of our opponents.”

On the other side, Al-Jazeera coach Ibrahim Obaid admitted his team is facing a “difficult equation” at the beginning of its journey in official competitions. He revealed that the club is actively seeking to bolster the squad with talented players to improve its future performances.

Obaid also mentioned that the club has inquired about the eligibility of Sultan Al-Enezi, who has already played for both Al-Arabi and Omani club Dhofar this season, possibly ruling him out from joining a third team within the same campaign.

“There are several players we hope to bring to Al-Jazeera shortly. We are carefully evaluating our options,” he added.

Meanwhile, Al-Fahaheel coach Firas Al-Khatib reflected on his team’s narrow 2-1 win over Al-Tadamon in the Amir Cup, attributing the tight scoreline to a lack of focus on key details. The victory sets up a quarterfinal clash with the winner of the Al-Qadsiyac vs. Burgan match, which has been postponed to May 10.

Al-Khatib stressed that his squad is committed to giving their best in the tournament. “Winning the Amir Cup will be a tough task given the level of competition, but nothing is impossible in football,” he concluded.

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff