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Amanat Baghdad SC
View on WikipediaAmanat Baghdad Sports Club (Arabic: نادي أمانة بغداد الرياضي, lit. 'Mayoralty of Baghdad Sports Club') is an Iraqi professional football team based in Karkh District, Baghdad, that competes in the Iraq Stars League, the top-flight of Iraqi football. Formed in 1957 as Amanat Al-Asima (Arabic: أمانة العاصمة, lit. 'Capital Mayoralty'), the team merged with Al-Baladiyat SC in 1977, who had finished as runners-up of the 1975–76 Iraq FA Cup.
Key Information
History
[edit]On 1 July 1957, Amanat Al-Asima (Arabic: أمانة العاصمة, lit. 'Capital Mayoralty') were formed to represent the Mayoralty of Baghdad.[2] Amanat Al-Asima won the Iraq Central FA Premier League title in the 1958–59 season and won the Police Director General Cup twice in 1959 and 1960.
In 1977, Amanat Al-Asima merged with Al-Baladiyat SC to form Al-Amana SC (Arabic: الأمانة).[3] On 5 August 2009, Al-Amana SC was renamed to Baghdad SC (Arabic: بغداد).[4] In 2014, Baghdad SC renamed to Amanat Baghdad SC (Arabic: أمانة بغداد).[5]
Merged teams
[edit]Al-Baladiyat
[edit]Al-Baladiyat SC (Arabic: البلديات, lit. 'Municipalities')[3] was a club formed in 1974 by the merger of Isalat Al-Mai and Maslahat Naqil Al-Rukab. Al-Baladiyat finished as runners-up of the Iraq FA Cup in the 1975–76 season.
Isalat Al-Mai
[edit]Isalat Al-Mai (Arabic: إسالة الماء, lit. 'Water Board') was a team formed in 1954.[6] Isalat Al-Mai won the Iraq Central FA Second Division in the 1959–60 season.
Maslahat Naqil Al-Rukab
[edit]
Maslahat Naqil Al-Rukab (Arabic: مصلحة نقل الركاب, lit. 'Passenger Transport Service') was a team formed in 1956.[7] Maslahat Naqil Al-Rukab won the Iraq Central FA Premier League four times in 1956–57, 1960–61, 1964–65 and 1970–71, and finished as runners-up in 1967–68. They also won the Iraq Central FA Perseverance Cup in 1965. The team wore red shirts.[8]
Stadium
[edit]Since 2011, Amanat Baghdad have got their own stadium. The Amanat Baghdad Stadium holds 5,000 people.
Current squad
[edit]First-team squad
[edit]- As of 30 May 2024
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|
Technical staff
[edit]| Position | Name | Nationality |
|---|---|---|
| Manager: | Wissam Talib | |
| Assistant manager: | Vacant | |
| Fitness coach: | Raad Salman | |
| Goalkeeping coach: | Haitham Khalil | |
| Team supervisor: | Ahmed Ezzat |
Updated to match played 3 August 2020
Source: [1]
Managerial history
[edit]
Ahmed Khalef (2015–2018)
Thair Ahmed (2018)
Essam Hamad (2018–2021)
Jamal Ali (2021)
Wissam Talib (2021–present)
Honours
[edit]Major
[edit]National
- Iraqi Premier Division League (second tier)
- Winners (1): 1990–91
Regional
- Iraq Central FA Premier League (top tier)
- Winners (1): 1958–59
Minor
[edit]- Police Director General Cup
- Winners (2): 1959, 1960
Individual honours
[edit]- The following players have played in the FIFA Confederations Cup whilst playing for Al-Amana:
2009 – Essam Yassin
References
[edit]- ^ "شباب نادي امانة بغداد.. مواهب متميزة ومدربين كبار وبناء علمي صحيح". aladalanews.net (in Arabic). 31 August 2015.
- ^ List of Iraqi League Champions
- ^ a b "الزوراء يواجه بغداد في افتتاح دوري النخبة". alsumaria.tv (in Arabic). 13 July 2010.
- ^ "نادي الأمانة يغير اسمه الى بغداد اعتبارا من الأربعاء". ankawa.com (in Arabic). 6 August 2009.
- ^ "تغيير اسم نادي بغداد الى "أمانة بغداد" وتسمية عبعوب رئيسا فخريا له". alsumaria.tv (in Arabic). 2 February 2014.
- ^ Iraqi League 1974–75
- ^ "كأس العراق الفرق الفائزة ببطولة كأس العراق". w.mdar.co (in Arabic). 23 October 2016.
- ^ "Convincing win for Asimah over P.T.S." The Iraq Times. 9 March 1959.
External links
[edit]- Official website
- Amanat Baghdad on Kooora
- Amanat Baghdad SC on Facebook
Amanat Baghdad SC
View on GrokipediaClub overview
Founding and name changes
Amanat Baghdad SC traces its origins to 1 July 1957, when it was established as Amanat Al-Asima (Arabic: أمانة العاصمة, lit. 'Capital Mayoralty') by the Baghdad Municipality to represent municipal workers in local football competitions.[1] The club's name reflected its direct affiliation with the administrative body governing Baghdad, emphasizing its role as a representative team for public sector employees in the city's sporting activities. In its early years, Amanat Al-Asima quickly achieved success, winning the 1958–59 Iraq Central FA Premier League in just its second season.[3] In 1977, under administrative reorganization influenced by Iraq's national sports authorities, Amanat Al-Asima merged with Al-Baladiyat SC—a club formed in 1974 from the merger of Maslahat Naqil Al-Rukab and Isalat Al-Mai—to create Al-Amana SC (Arabic: الأمانة, lit. 'The Trust').[3] This merger aimed to consolidate municipal and local government-affiliated teams, strengthening the club's position within the evolving structure of Iraqi football governed by state bodies. The new name, Al-Amana, symbolized trustworthiness and public service, aligning with the merged entities' bureaucratic roots. On 5 August 2009, Al-Amana SC underwent a rename to Baghdad SC (Arabic: بغداد), a decision driven by administrative directives to broaden the club's identity beyond specific municipal ties and emphasize its representation of the capital city as a whole.[3] This change occurred amid efforts by Iraqi football federations to modernize club branding in the post-2003 era, reflecting government-influenced reforms in sports administration. In 2014, the club reverted to a name highlighting its origins by becoming Amanat Baghdad SC (Arabic: أمانة بغداد, lit. 'Baghdad Mayoralty'), reaffirming its historical connection to the Baghdad Municipality and municipal workforce.[4] This renaming was part of ongoing administrative adjustments to preserve the club's foundational public sector identity within Iraq's national league framework.Identity and nicknames
Amanat Baghdad SC is commonly known as the "Lions of the Capital" (Usud al-Asima), a nickname reflecting its representation of Baghdad as the Iraqi capital and its fierce competitive nature on the field.[8] The club's traditional kit colors are green and white, symbolizing growth, unity, and its ties to Baghdad's municipal heritage as the team originally formed under the city's mayoral authority.[9] Amanat Baghdad SC draws a dedicated fan base primarily from Baghdad residents, with strong support in the Karkh District where the club is based, embodying local pride and fostering intra-city rivalries with teams like Al-Shorta in matches that highlight Baghdad's footballing passion.[9][1]History
Early years and initial successes
Amanat Al-Asima was established in 1957 as the official football team representing the Baghdad municipality, marking the beginning of organized municipal involvement in Iraqi football. The club entered competitive play in the Iraq Central FA leagues during the 1957–58 season, competing in the Baghdad regional division that served as the primary platform for top clubs in the capital. This participation positioned Amanat Al-Asima among Baghdad's emerging football entities, fostering local talent drawn from municipal employees and youth programs within the city's administrative framework.[10][11] The team's rapid ascent culminated in its first major triumph during the 1958–59 Iraq Central FA Premier League, where Amanat Al-Asima secured the title after overcoming key rivals, including a walkover victory against Nadi Athori. This success highlighted the club's competitive edge in the tightly contested Baghdad leagues, where matches against established sides like Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya and Al-Maslaha Naqil Al-Rakab often defined seasonal milestones and intensified local derbies. Through these encounters, Amanat Al-Asima contributed to player development in municipal football, nurturing talents who strengthened Baghdad's overall football ecosystem in the late 1950s.[11]Mergers and rebranding
In 1977, Amanat Al-Asima merged with Al-Baladiyat SC to form Al-Amana SC, consolidating the resources and player bases of both clubs under a unified municipal entity in Baghdad.[12] This merger was part of broader administrative reforms in Iraqi football following the establishment of nationwide leagues, aiming to streamline institutional teams affiliated with government departments.[12] Al-Baladiyat SC itself was founded in 1974 through the merger of two longstanding Baghdad-based teams: Isalat Al-Mai, established in 1954 and winners of the 1959–60 Iraq Central FA Second Division, and Maslahat Naqil Al-Rukab, formed in 1956 and champions of the Iraq Central FA competitions including the 1956–57 First Division Cup, 1960–61 First Division Cup, and 1964–65 First Division.[11] Al-Baladiyat SC quickly established itself, reaching the final of the 1975–76 Iraq FA Cup, where it lost 0–5 to Al-Zawraa SC.[13] Following the 1977 merger, Al-Amana SC underwent further rebranding to reflect evolving administrative identities and broader appeal. In 2009, it was renamed Baghdad SC to emphasize its capital city roots and simplify its profile amid post-invasion football restructuring.[12] By 2014, it adopted the current name Amanat Baghdad SC, reverting to a municipal affiliation while maintaining continuity in league participation across Iraq's top divisions without interruption.[12] These changes facilitated smoother administrative operations, including centralized funding from Baghdad's municipal authorities and preserved competitive eligibility in national competitions, allowing the club to build on the merged legacies without disbandment.[12]Modern era and league performance
Following the 2014 renaming to Amanat Baghdad SC, the club competed primarily in Iraq's second-tier Iraqi Premier Division League, facing challenges from post-2003 instability, including security issues and league interruptions. The team participated in cup competitions like the Iraqi FA Cup but struggled with consistent relegation threats and mid-table results in lower divisions.[14][15] In the 2022–23 season, Amanat Baghdad finished second in the Iraqi Premier Division League, securing automatic promotion to the Iraq Stars League for the 2023–24 campaign.[16] However, they finished 18th in the top flight and were directly relegated.[5] The club then returned to the second tier for 2024–25, where they placed fourth and won promotion through the play-offs after defeating Naft Al-Junoob, re-entering the Iraq Stars League for the 2025–26 season.[5] The 2025–26 Iraq Stars League season has seen a mixed start for Amanat Baghdad, who sit in 15th position after six matches with six points and a goal difference of -4 as of November 2025.[17] Early fixtures included a 0–3 home defeat to Al-Mosul FC on 21 September 2025, contributing to their precarious standing near the relegation zone.[18] In August 2025, the club underwent a managerial change, appointing Essam Hamad as head coach to guide the team through these challenges.[19]Facilities and operations
Stadium and training grounds
Amanat Baghdad SC's primary home venue is Amanat Baghdad Stadium, situated in the Karkh District of Baghdad, Iraq. The stadium serves as the club's main facility for hosting Iraq Stars League matches and conducting training sessions.[20][21] Opened on December 3, 2010, the venue has a seating capacity of 5,000 and features a natural grass pitch measuring 105 by 68 meters. It is owned by the Mayoralty of Baghdad, reflecting the club's ties to municipal governance, though day-to-day operations align with club needs. No major upgrades to the pitch or infrastructure have been widely documented in recent years, maintaining standard conditions for professional play.[22] In addition to matchdays, the stadium supports the club's training activities, with associated grounds in Baghdad used for academy development and youth sessions.Ownership and administration
Amanat Baghdad SC is closely tied to the Baghdad Municipality, serving historically as the primary sports club for municipal employees and institutions since its origins in the 1950s as Amanat Al-Asima SC.[3] This connection provides the club with ongoing municipal funding and administrative support, reflecting its role as a public entity within Iraq's government-backed sports framework.[23] The club's governance structure emphasizes operational stability through public resources, though it has faced pressures from Iraq's broader economic constraints affecting public sector entities. The current chairman, Falah Mendeb Al-Masudi, oversees the club's high-level decision-making and strategic direction as of 2025.[21] Under his leadership, the administrative board handles key functions, including a general manager responsible for day-to-day operations and a financial oversight committee that manages budgeting and compliance with Iraqi Football Association regulations. These roles ensure alignment with municipal priorities, such as community engagement and infrastructure maintenance linked to city-owned facilities. Like many Iraqi football clubs, Amanat Baghdad SC grapples with funding challenges amid national economic instability and reduced state allocations, relying heavily on municipal subsidies that have been inconsistent due to budgetary shortfalls.[23] This has prompted efforts to explore supplementary revenue streams, such as sponsorships, while maintaining its public administration model to sustain league participation.Management and coaching
Current technical staff
The current technical staff of Amanat Baghdad SC, as of November 2025, is led by manager Essam Hamad, who was appointed on 1 August 2025. Hamad, born on 22 October 1973 in Iraq, is a former midfielder who represented the Iraq national team at the 2000 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers and later transitioned into coaching, with prior experience managing Al-Zawraa SC until February 2025, where he guided the team in the Iraq Stars League. His appointment followed the club's promotion to the Iraq Stars League and previous managerial changes, aiming to stabilize the team's performance in the ongoing 2025–26 season.[24] Supporting Hamad is fitness coach Ahmed Jumaah Ahmed Al-Obaidi, appointed on 15 August 2025. Al-Obaidi, born on 20 July 1978 in Baghdad, holds an AFC A Coaching Licence and specializes in fitness training, having previously served in the same role at Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya, where he collaborated with various managers to enhance player conditioning.[25][24] His expertise in implementing tactical formations like 5-4-1 has been noted in his career profile.[25]| Role | Name | Nationality | Age | Appointment Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manager | Essam Hamad | Iraq | 52 | 1 August 2025 |
| Fitness Coach | Ahmed Jumaah Ahmed Al-Obaidi | Iraq | 47 | 15 August 2025 |
Managerial history
Amanat Baghdad SC has predominantly employed Iraqi coaches throughout its history, with comprehensive records of managerial appointments becoming more readily available from the late 2000s onward. Earlier tenures from the club's establishment in 1957 are sparsely documented in public sources, but the club has consistently favored domestic managers, avoiding foreign appointments in favor of local tactical knowledge and cultural familiarity.[26] The following table summarizes key documented head managers, their tenures, and notable aspects of their spells where verifiable:| Manager | Nationality | Tenure | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yahya Alwan | Iraq | July 2009 – June 2010 | Short tenure during a period of league consolidation; no major promotions or relegations recorded.[26] |
| Ahmed Khalaf | Iraq | July 2015 – February 2018 | Oversaw mid-table stability in the Iraqi Premier League; departed amid routine staff rotation.[26] |
| Thair Ahmed | Iraq | March 2018 – December 2018 | Brief interim role following Khalaf's exit; focused on transitional stability without significant achievements.[26] |
| Essam Hamad | Iraq | December 2018 – August 2021 | Led the team through consistent mid-table finishes; his departure was part of a post-season restructuring. Returned for a second stint in 2025.[26][27] |
| Wisam Talib Duair | Iraq | July 2021 – June 2024 | Long-term appointment marked by mixed results, including the club's relegation from the Iraq Stars League in the 2023–24 season; tenure ended following the campaign.[26][28] |
| Essam Hamad (second tenure) | Iraq | August 2025 – present | Appointed ahead of the 2025–26 season to guide the newly promoted side; ongoing as of November 2025.[27][26] |
Players
Current first-team squad
As of November 2025, Amanat Baghdad SC's first-team squad for the 2025–26 Iraq Stars League comprises 28 players, with an average age of 27.9 years and 6 foreign players accounting for 21.4% of the roster.[30] During the 2025 summer transfer window, the club completed 15 arrivals and 27 departures, all on free transfers with no fees involved.[31] The current squad, listed by position with squad numbers, player names, ages, and nationalities, is detailed below:| Squad No. | Position | Player | Age | Nationality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | ||||
| 12 | Goalkeeper | Wissam Ali | 20 | Iraq |
| 23 | Goalkeeper | Ammar Ali | 37 | Iraq |
| 35 | Goalkeeper | Sajjad Kadhem | 29 | Iraq |
| Defenders | ||||
| 13 | Defender | Ayman Arzaij | 31 | Iraq |
| 28 | Defender | Sajad Tahsen | - | Iraq |
| 36 | Defender | Mohammed Sabah | - | Iraq |
| 44 | Defender | Mustafa Nadhim | 32 | Iraq |
| 16 | Defender | Hayder Salem | 31 | Iraq |
| 6 | Defender | Abbas Yassin Mohamad | 27 | Iraq/Sweden |
| 5 | Defender | Lamin Samateh | 33 | Gambia/Senegal |
| - | Defender | Ali Atheer | 19 | Iraq |
| 21 | Defender | Abdullah Khalaf | 23 | Iraq |
| 4 | Defender | Milad Falah | 31 | Iraq |
| 28 | Defender | Ahmed Abdulhussein | 28 | Iraq |
| Midfielders | ||||
| 17 | Midfielder | Mustafa Faleh | - | Iraq |
| 77 | Midfielder | Bakhtiyor Kosimov | 30 | Uzbekistan |
| 11 | Midfielder | Mohammed Ibrahim | - | Iraq |
| 19 | Midfielder | Yahya Ali | - | Iraq |
| 89 | Midfielder | Sofiane Feghouli | 35 | Algeria/France |
| 12 | Midfielder | Zidane Abdul Jabbar | 22 | Iraq |
| 8 | Midfielder | Shaaban Mahmood | 28 | Iraq |
| Forwards | ||||
| 11 | Forward | Mahmoud Ahmed | 25 | Iraq |
| 33 | Forward | Pneu Flávio | 22 | Angola |
| 20 | Forward | Hamdi Labidi | 23 | Tunisia |
| 15 | Forward | Kamal El Keraa | 31 | Morocco |
| 10 | Forward | Jabar Kareem | 27 | Iraq |
| 9 | Forward | Raad Qaiser | - | Iraq |
| 33 | Forward | Jaffar Uday | 20 | Iraq |
Notable former players
Bassim Abbas, a prominent Iraqi left-back, represented Amanat Baghdad from 2011 to 2015, contributing to the club's stability during its developmental phase in Iraqi football. As an Iraqi international with 88 caps between 2004 and 2016, Abbas brought defensive experience from stints in Turkey and Iran to the team, helping solidify the backline in lower-tier competitions. After leaving Amanat Baghdad, he returned to Al-Shorta SC, where he retired in 2016.[32][33] Ali Adnan Kadhim, another key Iraqi defender, began his professional career with Amanat Baghdad in 2010, making early appearances that marked his rise to international prominence. Earning over 50 caps for Iraq since 2012, Adnan's technical skills and versatility were evident during his initial years at the club, laying the foundation for his subsequent moves abroad. Post-Amanat Baghdad, he achieved success in Turkey with Çaykur Rizespor and in Major League Soccer with Vancouver Whitecaps FC, before joining Al-Wehda in Saudi Arabia in 2025.[34][35] Ahmad Abdul-Jabar, a midfielder and former Iraq national team player with 11 caps from 2001 to 2007, featured for Amanat Baghdad during the 2010-11 season before transferring to Al-Zawraa SC. Known for his tactical awareness, Abdul-Jabar provided midfield control and leadership drawn from his earlier career in Cyprus with Apollon Limassol. Following his playing days, he became a manager, taking charge of Al-Karkh SC in 2025.[36] Mustafa Karim, an Iraqi striker with 29 international appearances between 2012 and 2019, played for Amanat Baghdad from 2019 to 2020, adding attacking flair with his ambidextrous finishing ability. His time at the club coincided with efforts to climb the Iraqi leagues, where he contributed goals in competitive matches. After departing, Karim moved to Al-Minaa SC and retired in 2022, having previously earned recognition as a top foreign player in Egypt's Premier League during a 2007 loan.[37] Ernest Thierry Anang, a Cameroonian forward, joined Amanat Baghdad in 2022 and scored several goals in the Iraqi Premier Division before leaving in December 2023. Standing at 1.88 meters, Anang's physical presence and aerial ability bolstered the team's forward line during their top-flight campaigns. Subsequently, he signed with Al-Bahri SC in 2024, continuing his career in Iraqi football.[38][39] Hassan Abbas, a young Iraqi goalkeeper born in 2001, served as a long-term option for Amanat Baghdad from around 2020 until his departure in 2024 to Diyala SC. With experience at the U23 international level, Abbas featured in league matches, providing reliability between the posts during the club's promotion push. His post-club move to Al-Kahrbaa Club in 2025 marked a step in his emerging career.[40][41]Achievements
Team honours
Amanat Baghdad SC has not won any major national competitions, including the top-tier Iraq Stars League or the Iraq FA Cup. The club won the Iraqi Premier Division League (second tier) in the 1990–91 season as Al-Amana.[42] Its other achievements are limited to regional titles from the Baghdad League era (also known as the Iraq Central FA Premier League) and a notable runners-up finish inherited from a merged team.Regional titles
The following titles were won by predecessor or merged teams that form the basis of Amanat Baghdad SC:-
Iraq Central FA Premier League / Baghdad League
- 1956–57: Maslahat Naqil Al-Rukab (predecessor team, won 1–0 against Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya in cup format)[11]
- 1958–59: Amanat Al-Asima (original incarnation of the club, won by walkover against Nadi Athori)[11]
- 1960–61: Maslahat Naqil Al-Rukab (won 1–0 against Montakhab Al-Shurta)[11]
- 1964–65: Maslahat Naqil Al-Rukab[11]
- 1970–71: Maslahat Naqil Al-Rukab[11]
-
Police Director General Cup
- 1959: Amanat Al-Asima[3]
- 1960: Amanat Al-Asima[3]
