Mohammed Nabeel from New Zealand is on the verge of realizing his aspiration to play for the national football team. He showcased an outstanding performance for the Auckland All-Stars as they successfully defended the Flick Hygiene Pacific Community Cup at Churchill Park in Lautoka.
In the final match, the Auckland All-Stars defeated the Manukau All Stars with a score of 2-0, with goals scored by Eber Ramirez and Nicolas Bodadilla. Nabeel’s contribution earned him the title of Best Player of the tournament, a recognition he expressed gratitude for, despite not expecting it.
Looking ahead, Nabeel shared his excitement about being called up to represent Fiji in the upcoming President’s Cup to take place in the Solomon Islands later this month. “I’m looking forward to the competition in the Solomon Islands, especially in donning the white jumper. It has been my dream since 2022 when I left for New Zealand,” he stated.
The Auckland All-Stars featured several talented players including veteran goalkeeper Beniamino Mateinaqara, who also received the Golden Gloves Award, and the team collectively earned a reward of $10,000 for their victory. Meanwhile, the Manukau All Stars received $3,000 following their runner-up finish.
During the tournament, other notable awards included the Fair Play Award presented to AUFFI All-Stars, the Golden Boot Award for Garbhan Coughlan who scored six goals, and the Best Manager Award for Shaneel Prasad of the Auckland All-Stars.
Nabeel’s journey is a testament to hard work and dedication, and as he steps onto the field wearing the national colors, it symbolizes fulfillment not only of his own dreams but also serves as inspiration for aspiring footballers in Fiji and beyond.
Overall, this achievement showcases the promising talent emerging from the region, and there is much optimism for the future of football in Fiji.
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