As the round of 16 matches in the Iraq Cup conclude, all eyes next Tuesday evening will be on Zakho Stadium, which will host a pure northern clash between Zakho and Nawruz, in a match expected to be thrilling and exciting given the different aspirations of the two teams and the varying circumstances they have experienced during the past football season.

Zakho enters the match in high spirits, having finished the league in third place, marking one of its best seasons ever in the Iraqi Premier League. The journey began two seasons ago when the club management signed Qatari coach Talal Al-Balushi, who made a qualitative shift in the team's identity and results, as Zakho became one of the top four teams in the Iraqi league for two consecutive seasons, establishing itself as a fierce competitor known for its stability and fighting spirit.

Despite a modest start last season and the team going through a series of negative results that led to Al-Balushi's resignation, the club quickly moved to rectify the technical matters by signing experienced coach Abdulghani Shahid, who managed to restore balance and identity to the team, leading them to finish the season in an advanced position.

Zakho boasts a distinguished group of players, led by midfielder Amjad Atwan and outstanding goalkeeper Ali Kazem, who has had two great seasons and was one of the best goalkeepers in the league, alongside Brazilian striker Gustavo Henrique, Yemeni star Nasser Mahmod, and other names that have provided the team with a variety of solutions and significant field experience. The team aspires to go far in the cup competition, which could be a well-deserved reward for its fans after a strong season.

On the other hand, Nawruz enters the match after a mediocre season, finishing in ninth place, a position that reflects some fluctuations in technical level and results throughout the season. The team has a decent group of players, but they have lacked consistency and have not been able to translate some good performances into real results, keeping them away from the top positions. Nevertheless, Nawruz has enough ambition and motivation to turn the expectations around and attempt to eliminate one of the strong teams, entering a serious competition for the title.

The match is held on Zakho's home ground, giving the team a field and fan advantage, but cup matches do not always adhere to these calculations. Between a team steadily rising to the top and another looking for a stunning surprise, this confrontation remains open to all possibilities, on a night when Zakho fans hope for continued brilliance and Nawruz supporters aim for a leap in one of the season's most important encounters.