Wikipedia - Zakho SC

Zakho Sport Club, (Arabic: نادي زاخو الرياضي) also spelled as Zaxo Sport Club (Kurdish: یانا زاخو یا وه‌رزشی, Yana Zaxo ya Werzişî), is an Iraqi professional sports club based in Zakho, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.

History

Football in Zakho was played unofficially from the early 1920s with many local amateur games as well as school competitions regularly being held in Zakho or nearby districts. This eventually led to the formation of the first ever football team in Zakho in 1948. This was made up of local workers and young men.

Beginnings

In 1986 the management team of the Zakho Youth Sporting Center which consisted of president Yousef Dawad Jabo as well as members: Ali Omran, Bashar Rahmallah, Khaled Hussein, Neshan Kerob, Khalat Ramadan and Khwaste Furman came up with the idea of starting Zakho Football Club to replace the Sporting Center or to be a part of it. According to the National Olympic Committee of Iraq one of the requirements for the creation of the club was that there was to be actual participation of the Sporting Center in sports competitions for at least one year before the club could be registered. So the sporting committee set up teams for different age groups and started competing in different friendly matches.

Regional Championship

In 1986 Zakho competed in a regional tournament in Duhok under the name of Zakho Youth Center against Duhok Police, Duhok Youth Center, Duhok students and Duhok SC. Zakho went on to win the competition after defeating all the participants, including Duhok FC on penalties. In addition to the regional tournament that the Sporting Center achieved, they also found success in other sports such as basketball, wrestling, weightlifting and bodybuilding which improved their establishment bid significantly. Finally, on June 3, 1987 the club was officially registered.

Debut season

Since the club's inception in 1987 the club did not participate in any competition mandated by the Iraqi FA until 1990 for various reasons. Eventually they participated in the 1990/91 Third Division where they were in the Northern Group alongside At-Ta'mim club, Serwan club, Alkarma and Qurqosh. Each team would play home and away where the winner would go to the final of the 3rd league - the winner of this would be promoted to the Second Division. Zakho would top the group with 15 points but the 1991 uprisings in Iraq led to the cancellation of the remainder of the Iraqi football calendar. Zakho fans everywhere were upset.

1991–92 season

The following season saw Zakho to return to sporting activities after head of the Olympic Committee Uday Hussein guaranteed not to interfere with any Northern Iraqi sportsmen. Zakho were once again in the Northern group after being drawn with Duhok SC, Qaraqosh, Al Karama and Tel Afar. Zakho topped the group after 5 wins and 3 draws and qualified to the final round.

In the final round Zakho were to play each of Samawa FC, The Neighborhood and Al Hillah. The format was each team to play each other in a single-legged tie. Zakho won the group with 7 points and were crowned Iraqi Third Division champions and qualified to the second division.

New stadium

On June 3, 2015 Zakho FC celebrated the opening of their new stadium, known as Zakho International Stadium with an unofficial friendly against the Iraqi national team. The match was notable as Shwan Jalal made his Iraq debut and kept a clean sheet in a 2-0 victory for Iraq. Despite this, the new stadium has been a success and the club's fans hope there will be bright times ahead for Zakho FC.

Iraqi Stars League

Zakho SC finished third in the Iraqi Stars League during the 2024–25 season, accumulating 71 points (20 W–11 D–7 L) from 38 matches with a +32 goal difference. The club recorded standout victories, including a 5–0 win over Karbala on 5 October 2024 and a 6–2 triumph against Al‑Qasim on 9 February 2025. On 26 April 2025, Zakho SC's official Instagram account confirmed that head coach Talal Al-Bloushi had resigned. Shortly after, Abdul-Ghani Shahad was appointed as the new head coach.

Zakho SC is a prominent football club based in the city of Zakho, located in the Duhok Governorate of Iraq. Established in 1999, the team has quickly risen through the ranks of Iraqi football, becoming a competitive force in the domestic league. Known for their vibrant blue and white colors, Zakho SC has a passionate fan base that passionately supports the team during home matches at the Zakho Stadium.

The club has made significant strides in recent years, showcasing a blend of local talent and experienced players. Zakho SC is recognized for its attacking style of play, characterized by quick transitions and a strong emphasis on teamwork. The team's commitment to developing young players has also contributed to its reputation as a nurturing ground for future stars in Iraqi football.

Zakho SC has participated in various national competitions, consistently aiming for top honors in the Iraqi Premier League and domestic cups. The club's ambition and resilience reflect the spirit of its community, making it a symbol of pride for the people of Zakho and the surrounding region. With a focus on growth and success, Zakho SC continues to strive for excellence on and off the pitch, aiming to leave a lasting legacy in Iraqi football.