ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani on Tuesday made a phone call to the players of Duhok Sports Club (SC), ahead of the second leg of their finals against the Kuwaiti Al Qadsia. 

Duhok SC is set to meet Al Qadsia on Tuesday evening in the second leg of the AGCFF Gulf Club Champions League (GCC) finals on home turf after an all-nil draw in the first leg earlier in April.

The Iraqi prime minister congratulated the players and lauded the effort that contributed in reaching the final match, which he described as a "source of pride for Iraqi football and the Iraqi people," read a statement by Sudani's office, emphasizing the importance of the match to all Iraqis.

He highlighted the importance of sportsmanship in such tournaments and asked the players to "commit to implementing the coach's plan in detail" to bring the cup home and fulfill "the aspirations of the fans."

The match, set to be attended by Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, will see Duhok SC compete to lift the AGCFF Club Champions League trophy. The tournament was halted in 2015; it was later resumed under new management and with a new title, with participation from Iraqi and Yemeni teams.