N.U. Abdul Razzak Udayar
COLOMBO
The Indisputable Soccer Kings of the Sri Lankan Schools, Zahira College, Colombo led by Mufazzal Ziyard reclaimed the crown of their kingship when they smartly overpowered the high riding Alighar National School of Eravur with the score of 1-0 in the final encounter of the Division- 1 of the Under-20, Sri Lanka Schools National Championship that was colourfully staged at the Racecourse International Stadium in Colombo on 27.02.2025. Certainly, this final clash did make a red letter day for both Champs, Zahira and the Runners Up, Alighar for it was the repeat of the grand final for the 2nd consecutive year. Simply, repeatedly, both played in the final of this group and last year it was Alighar that seized the crown of Zahira at the Sugathathasa Stadium in a thriller where penalty shoot-out ended up as 5-4, in favour of Alighar, the Eastern Shining Soccer Stars who are methodically mentored by S.H. Aspahan, the Coach & the Physical Education Teacher of the same school.
Zahira and Alighar dominate National Youth Team
In the first semi-final Alighar convincingly defeated Hameed Al Hussaini by 1-0. Their playmaker was skipper Mohamed Munsif who elegantly made this solitary goal via a free kick. Rightly, footballers of both colleges have set a right example by dishing out high quality performance in all games that were in action, particularly, displaying superb talent and splendid skills. Gladly both Zahira, and Alighar schools are richly rewarded for their superiority in soccer at the national level. Now, they dominate the Under 20 National Youth Team having 6 and 4 of them respectively.
Possessing Brazil Cup from 1986 to 1989
Truly, Zahira has been the unchallengeable and mighty Force in the school football scenario for the last 40 years or so as the footballers of this leading Muslim boys’ school of the capital city have been capably and skilfully coached from the juniors to seniors by a panel of highly talented professional coaches. Interestingly, Zahira had its first football team that was in action was in 1926.Then for Zahira, it has been the journey of success upon success overcoming various challenges. Wonderfully, the OBA of Zahira gives an enormous support to make the footballers of Zahira as best in the country. In the 1980s, the latter part was a golden era for Zahira as it proved its might by claiming many a trophy including three consecutive wins possessing the “Brazil Cup” from 1986 to 1989. Apart from that year 1998 was recorded as the Year of 100 percent success for Zahira that stole the limelight by winning the Football Championship in all age groups. Nevertheless, last year, it was stunningly beaten by Alighar to get their major achievement in Football.
Aaquil Amanullah Does it!
The final was closely contested this time as well as the Eastern legends Alighar led by Sri Lanka Under 19 Captain Mohamed Munsif gave a very good start but the decisive moment came in the 8th minute when Aaqil Amanullah, the son of former Captain and the Coach of the Sri Lankan National Team capitalized on a low cross from Mohamed Shail, slotting the ball past Alighar’s goalkeeper, Mohamed Mustakrose. This splendid goal was the turning point for Zahira to achieve what they miserably failed last year. Despite Alighar’s efforts, including three free-kick opportunities in the first half, Zahira’s defence remained resolute, maintaining their early lead to the occasion, carefully shooting the much-needed goal. With this early lead the moral of the Aligharians was brought down not allowing them to show their true talent. Deservedly, Alighar had 3 free-kicks in the first half but Zahira’s gritty defence crushed their hopes of getting any goals
Soccer is a Deep-Rooted Passion in Zahira
It was a sedate second half from Zahira as they wanted to lift the championship to ensure that they are second to none. Finally, the match ended with the score of 1-0 making Zahira the new Champs. Their Head Coach, former Vice Captain of the National Team, the Captain of the Asian School Football Team (1995-Brunai) and the former skipper of Zahira itself, Imran Mohamed was elated to see that Zahira is back on top showing their superb talent and outstanding skills. “There is a deep-rooted Passion for soccer at Zahira and our boys strive to reach glory and eventually tasted the victory.” He expressed the joy with these words.In the 2nd leg of this tourney, they crushed St. Patrick’s College of Jaffna by 4-0 and comprehensively beat Al Falah College, Negombo by 3-0. Then, dominant Hammed Al Hussaini too ate the humble pie as it went down allowing Zahira to get two goals turning the score as card 2-0. The 2nd semi- final that was against St. Joseph’s for Zahira was a thriller as it got the equalizer and went for the penalty shoot-out and grabbed the match in their favour making the score card as 4-2. Previously in the first leg Zahira faced only a single match that was against Kalutara Muslim Maha Vidyalaya, that too is an outstanding outfit. Zahira powerfully pushed aside the Kalutara boys by making a remarkable impact in this vital encounter. It got 5 goals for zero.
Perseverance & Team Work Seret of Success
Imran who has played for 10 years for the national team has been with the Zahirian footballers responsibly mentoring and training since 2016. Then he was promoted as the Head Coach in 2016 for his productive and untiring efforts with the able support of the rest of the coaching staff for making Zahirians as a number one force in football. He clearly pointed out that importantly, team work and hard work along with unity are the ingredients of their success.
Education and Sports Go Arm in Arm
The Principal of the College Mr. A.R.M. Trizvy Marikkar was delighted to see that their senior team is back on track enjoying excellence. He reminded that both education and sports go arm in arm at Zahira to build perfect personalities for the society. He expressed his sincere thanks to the players, the OBA, the parents and all other stake holders and the fans for giving their worthy contributions to take Zahira to the Zenith.
Zahira has the distinction of getting 4 slots in the senior Sri Lankan National team. They are Ahamed Shareef (GK), Shail Ahamed (10), Fadhil Ahmad (13) and Fareeq Ahmad (6). The following players who were in action for Zahira had made the tour to Tajikistan with the Under 20 National Team. They are Ahamed Shareef, Shail Ahmad, Fadhil Ahmad, Mufazzal Ziard, Sadeer Ahmad and Abdulla.
The following players got awards for their excellence
Man of the Match: I.M. Thilham- Alighar National School
Golden Boot Award: Shail Ahamed- Zahira College
Golden Gloves: Ahmed Shareef- Zahira College
Golden Ball: Fareeq Ahamed- Zahira College
The winning squad of Zahira College Colombo comprises:
Mufazzal Ziyard (Cap), Ahamed shereef, Azeez, Abdullah, Fhadhil, Fareek Ahamed, Akeel Anis, Shakeeb, Akeen Niyas, Shail Ahamed, Aaqeel, Katheem, Rasheed, Shuaib, Hifni, Sadeer, Faarik, Najath, Abdurahman, Mushtaq,Uzmaan
Officials: IMRAN MOHAMED (HEAD COACH), FAZUL RAHMAN (AST COACH), UZMAN HAMEED ( GK COACH),FAZAL AHAMED (TRAINER),ILHAM (PYSIO) and NAJATH (MIC)
St. Joseph’s College Secures 3rd Place
One of the most talented schools in soccer, St. Joseph’s College comprehensively defeated Hameed Al Husseinie College of Colombo by 4-3 on penalties after it ended 1-1 at normal time to win the position of 2nd Runners Up of the U20 Schools Football Championship 2024 at the City Football League Compex.
Ross Abner gave Joes the lead in the 29th minute through a clinical header from a corner. It needed a R.A. Rahuman free-kick deep into added time (90+3’) for Hameedians to force the game into penalties. In the penalty shootout St. Joseph’s had the last laugh for Hameedians missed two penalties to Josephians’ one as it ended 4-3.
