Monday 15 / December / 2025
MUSCAT: Having grown in Salalah, Younis Aman’s earliest memories are of playing football and following Dhofar Club. And the legendary footballer, who was one of the most famed strikers of Oman ever, remains a Dhofar man.
Guiding Dhofar to their 11th HM’s Cup triumph on Friday signifies a full circle in Aman’s enduring connection with the club. Aman clinched the HM’s Cup twice as a player in 1980 and 1981 and later steered the club to victory as manager in 1999. Nearly 25 years on, he adds another accolade to his legacy by leading Dhofar to glory as a coach.
In his exclusive remarks to Times of Oman, Aman said: “I am thankful to Almighty Allah for giving me an opportunity to lead the club to HM’s Cup success. It was not an easy assignment when I took charge on September 4 last year. With a new team, a young bunch of all-Omani players, the goal was clear- claim the biggest prize of Oman’s football this year. And, I am happy and proud to have achieved it.”
The 59-year-old former Dhofar star striker said: “On the first day of my taking over as a coach, I wrote on the whiteboard while having a meeting with the club’s board – we will play the final of HM’s Cup. And yesterday, we not only played but also won. So, I am absolutely thrilled as this was a team comprising only Omani players with the club facing sanctions and unable to hire foreign players.”
Aman, who has to his credit maximum goals scored in a single edition of HM’s Cup, said: “As a Dhofar player and now as a coach, it was my duty to bring smiles on the faces of our fans. It was a tough final as we were playing the best side at the moment in Oman, Al Nahda. We had to give our best and that’s what we produced. With teams like Al Nahda and Seeb [newly crowned Omantel League champion], we have to give 100 percent, or else we will be punished.”
“For me, Dhofar Club is family and we are children. The sweetness of the title triumph is felt as we have been struggling in the domestic league and fighting relegation. We are now tenth and need at least a point in the remaining two games to escape relegation. With this win, I am sure our boys will be determined to put their best foot forward and stay in the top-flight league. We deserve to be there,” he added.
Aman, who also tasted defeats in the final in 1982 and 1984 against Al Ahli, said: “This is special as we have won it after two years and we have not been in the best form in the league. I look forward to leading the club to escape relegation and then we can think ahead.”
