In a move that confirms the Iraqi Football Association's commitment to managing the Iraq Cup matches with the highest levels of integrity and professionalism, the association officially announced the appointment of Jordanian international referee Adham Al-Makhamra to officiate the high-stakes match between Al-Shorta and Zakho, in the semifinals of the Iraq Cup, which will take place tomorrow, Saturday, at the Zakho International Stadium in the north of the country.

Adham Al-Makhamra is considered one of the most prominent refereeing names in the Asian continent, as he has officiated a significant number of international matches at both national and club levels. He is distinguished by his strict yet balanced style, which has always kept him among the Asian Football Confederation's choices for officiating crucial matches in major tournaments.

His appointment today serves as a clear message from the Iraqi association that this match is of special importance, as it brings together two major teams in Iraqi football, both of which aspire to reach the final.

This semifinal match is not only a gateway to the final but also a true test of Al-Shorta's ambitions to end the season with a double of the league and cup, as they are currently the most stable team on all fronts, led by their Egyptian coach Moamen Soliman, who has built a team that commands great respect, after recently winning the Iraq Stars League title for the fifth consecutive time.

On the other hand, Zakho enters this match with a high fighting spirit, having struggled to reach this stage, and they aspire to reach the final for the first time in their history, relying on a group of distinguished names such as Nasser Mohammed and Amjad Attwan, along with the prominent goalkeeper Ali Kazem, under the guidance of coach Abdul Ghani Shahid, who has steered the team back on the right path since the middle of the season.

The decision to appoint a foreign referee for a match of such importance came after numerous demands from the sports community and media, to ensure the integrity of the refereeing decisions amid the significant sensitivities surrounding matches in the final stages of local tournaments, especially with the repeated objections to local refereeing in previous matches.