Hanafi Akbar

In this Malay name, there is no surname or family name. The name Akbar is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by their given name, Hanafi.

Mohamad Hanafi bin Mohd Akbar (born 7 February 1995) is a Singaporean professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Singapore Premier League side Tampines Rovers and the Singapore national team.

Hanafi Akbar

Personal information
Full name	Mohamad Hanafi bin Mohd Akbar
Date of birth	(1995-02-07) 7 February 1995 (age 29)[1]
Place of birth	Singapore
Position(s)	Midfielder
Team information
Current team	Tampines Rovers
Number	2
Youth career
2008–2013	National Football Academy
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2014–2017	Balestier Khalsa	12	(0)
2018–	Tampines Rovers	0	(0)
International career
2021—	Singapore	0	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, 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 interest from Tottenham Hotspur F.C. and Juventus FC 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]

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. Archived from the original on 15 December 2013. 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.

External links

• Hanafi Akbar at Soccerway