Zakho SC continued their fine form with a 0-2 away win over Naft Missan in the Iraq Stars League on January 18, 2026. This victory solidified Zakho SC's position as a team in form, securing another clean sheet and three points on their travels. Zakho demonstrated tactical maturity, absorbing early pressure from the hosts before striking with a classic counter-attacking goal to take the lead. They controlled the tempo of the game thereafter and sealed the win with a second goal late on, perhaps from a set-piece, to confirm their superiority. The key to the match was Zakho's defensive organization, which successfully nullified Naft Missan's attacking threats throughout the ninety minutes. This result pushed Zakho SC higher up the league table, while it served as a setback for Naft Missan's recent momentum. The Zakho manager would have been delighted with his team's professional away performance, while the Naft Missan coach lamented his side's inability to convert possession into goals.