Al-Najaf coach Wali Karim expressed his disappointment after his team's loss to Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya with a score of 3-1, in the quarter-finals of the Iraqi Cup, in a match held at the International Shaab Stadium, thus bidding farewell to "Gazlan Al-Badia" from the competition in the quarter-final round.

Kareem said in statements following the match:

"We entered the match well, and we managed to come back after conceding the first goal, but individual errors and a drop in concentration cost us a lot at critical moments of the match."

He added: "Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya is a great team, but I believe we did not present the level we aspired to, especially in the second half where we lacked spirit and discipline."

Regarding his future with the team, the Najafi coach clarified:

"So far, there is no official decision regarding my continuity; there is an upcoming meeting with the management in the coming days to evaluate the season and discuss the next phase."

He concluded by saying: "I am a son of this club and happy with what we have achieved despite the circumstances, but the next phase requires clarity in vision and capabilities."

Some sources within the club suggest that Wali Karim may not continue with Al-Najaf next season, amid the management's intention to make changes to the coaching staff after a season marked by many fluctuations in results and performance.

It is worth noting that Al-Najaf finished their season in the Iraqi Stars League in fourteenth place and exited the Iraqi Cup in the quarter-finals, which makes the issue of technical changes a top priority for the management.