Hanafi Akbar

Mohamad Hanafi bin Mohd Akbar (born 7 February 1995) is a Singaporean footballer who plays as a playmaker for S.League club Tampines Rovers.

In this Malay name, the name Akbar is a patronymic, not a family name, and the person should be referred to by the given name, Hanafi.
Hanafi Akbar
Personal information
Full name Mohamad Hanafi bin Mohd Akbar
Date of birth (1995-02-07) 7 February 1995[1]
Place of birth Singapore
Playing position(s) Midfielder, Forward
Club information
Current team
 Tampines Rovers
Number 2
Youth career
–2013 National Football Academy
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2014–2017 Balestier Khalsa 12 (0)
2018– Tampines Rovers 0 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 02:57, 23 November 2014 (UTC)

Career

Youth career

Hanafi represented the Singapore national under-14 team at the 2009 Asian Youth Games, and was part of the national under-15 team which won the bronze medal at the 2010 Summer Youth Olympics.[1] He attracted interests from Tottenham Hotspur F.C. and Juventus F.C. for his exploits at youth level.[2]

However, he failed to capitalise on his talents, choosing the influence of bad company instead, Hanafi skipped training with the National Football Academy and quit the team in 2013.[3]

Balestier Khalsa

He eventually signed a two-year contract with S.League club Balestier Khalsa in December 2013 after being written off as a "rebel" by many coaches.[2][4][5]

However, he was arrested for drug use in 2015 and was eventually sentenced for a year's imprisonment.[2][6] Hanafi rejoined the Tigers in 2017 after his release and made his return to football in a S.League game against Garena Young Lions on 2 April 2017. Coming on as a half-time substitute, Hanafi showed his early promise by playing a part in his team's solitary goal of the game. Hanafi controlled the ball on his chest before sending a glorious cross-field volley to teammate Hazzuwan Halim, who squared the ball for Myanmar forward Aung Kyaw Naing to slot home the winner from close range.[6]

Honours

Singapore U15

  • Summer Youth Olympics: bronze medalist, 2010 [5]
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References
  1. "Singapore finalises squad of 18 for AYG". Football Association of Singapore. 15 June 2009. Archived from the original on 23 November 2014. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
  2. "Hanafi Akbar arrested for drug offences". The New Paper. 30 January 2015. Retrieved 5 April 2017.
  3. Wang, Meng Meng (14 April 2013). "Hanafi's making up for lost time". The Straits Times. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
  4. Kasim, Ali (29 November 2013). "A new beginning for Hanafi". The New Paper. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
  5. "Balestier Khalsa Football Club have signed playmaker Mohamad Hanafi Bin Mohd Akbar from NFA Under-18 squad for 2014 football season". Balestier Khalsa FC. 26 November 2013. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
  6. "Hanafi impresses on return after 3-year absence". The New Paper. 3 April 2017. Retrieved 5 April 2017.


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