Hojeij eyes title challenge

Amman: Nejmeh SC Coach Moussa Hojeij believes his side has what it takes to compete for the 2019 AFC Cup title.

Lebanese Premier League’s runners-up Nejmeh get their 2019 AFC Cup campaign underway in Amman where they face Jordanian champions Al Wehdat in Group A on Monday.

Speaking ahead of the encounter, Hojeij made clear his side’s intention going into the continental competition. “Our team is ready on all levels,” said the 44-year-old manager.

“We have a good chance of competing for the AFC Cup title and this competition needs to be the top priority for the players.”

Hojeij, who is widely considered to be one of the finest Lebanese players of all-time, had captained Nejmeh as they reached the 2005 AFC Cup final, their best performance in their eight continental appearances.

Back then, another Jordanian side, Al Faisaly, had beaten Nejmeh 1-0 in the first leg of the final in Amman. A week later, Hojeij netted a brace, but his two goals were not enough to earn the Lebanese side the title as Al Faisaly won the return leg 3-2 in Beirut.

The club icon turned coach is now looking to help the players learn from his AFC Cup experience to manage their campaign in the optimum way.

“With the domestic league and cup in addition to the AFC Cup, we will have to play up to three matches a week at times,” explained Hojeij.

“If we can avoid the problem of injuries, the last of which ruled out Hassan Al Mohammed, then I’m hopeful we can get good results.”

The eight-time Lebanese champions will also have to overcome Syria’s Al Jaish and Palestine’s Hilal Al Quds if they are to reach the next stage, and Hojeij is adamant he has done his homework.

“We have full knowledge of how Al Jaish play and I had also watched Al Wehdat and Hilal Al Quds.”


Source: the-afc.com