Abdul Ghafoor

Abdul Ghafoor (3 August 1938 – 7 September 2012), commonly known by his nickname Majna, was a Pakistani professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He captained the Pakistan national football team during the 1974 Asian Games. He was nicknamed the Pakistani Pelé and Black Pearl of Pakistan, for his resemblance to the Brazilian football player, Pelé, and his playing abilities, he is also regarded as one of the greatest Pakistani footballers of all time.

Early life Ghafoor was born in Saifi Lane, Baghdadi, a neighbourhood of Lyari in Karachi in British India on 3 August 1938. Belonging to the Sheedi community, his grandparents reportedly migrated from Africa and settled in Saifi Lane. Ghafoor was fond of football since early age, and often ran away during classes to nearby grounds to join boys playing football. Ghafoor claimed that he had to sell his school bags in order to buy sports shoes. He represented Karachi selection team at the National Football Championship.

Kolkata Mohammedan

In a later tour of Mumbai in 1960, he signed with Kolkata Mohammedan Sporting Club to play as a professional footballer in the Calcutta Football League in India. He was recommended by fellow national teammate and club captain Muhammad Umer. He won the First Division League in his debut year with the team. He also secured a runners-up spot in the 1961 Aga Khan Gold Cup with Dhaka Mohammedan.

During his stay in the Dhaka League, he also represented Dacca Division at the National Football Championship.

Victoria SC In 1962, he joined Victoria, with which he won the First Division League twice in 1962 and 1964. He also won the 1962 Aga Khan Gold Cup with the club.

Dhaka Wanderers In 1963, Dhaka Wanderers formed a strong team to participate in the 1963 Aga Khan Gold Cup, acquiring Ghafoor along with national teammates Ghulam Abbas Baloch, Muhammad Umer, Abdullah Rahi, Yousuf Sr., and Yousuf Jr. from defending champions Victoria, who had withdrawn from the tournament. After defeating Police AC, Nepal XI, Pakistan Eastern Railway, and Indonesia XI in the semi-final, the club eventually lost 1–2 to Pakistan Railways in the final.

Dilkusha Ghafoor also played for Dilkusha SC in 1962, 1964 and 1967.

Karachi Port Trust After the independence of Bangladesh in 1971, Ghafoor joined Karachi Port Trust as a player and then became coach of the club before retiring from the team via golden handshake in 2000. Fellow Pakistani international Amir Bakhsh subsequently arrived at Mohammedan in 1979, but illness prevented him from making an appearance.

International career Ghafoor made his national team debut in 1959 after receiving a call-up from coach John McBride, for a friendly tour in Burma and Indo-China. He subsequently played in December the same year at the 1960 AFC Asian Cup qualification held in India. Ghafoor along with fellow national teammate Qayyum Changezi were also the only Pakistani players selected to be part of the preliminary West Asian Region All-Stars team after the tournament.

In 1964, Abdul Ghafoor toured China with the national team and then was made vice-captain for a friendly tour in Ceylon in 1965 and the 1965 RCD Cup in Iran.

In April 1967, Abdul Ghafoor announced his retirement from the national team after he and numerous footballers from Karachi had a falling out with then Pakistan Football Federation general secretary, Major Malik Muhammad Hussain. However, in 1974, Ghafoor came out of retirement on the special request of then Pakistan Football Federation president Abdul Sattar Gabol, to play for Pakistan once more at the 1974 Asian Games.

Ghafoor was part of Pakistan national football team in their golden era, when the national side recorded their best results against strong opponent sides. During his time in Dhaka, Ghafoor reportedly received offers to play for clubs in the Soviet Union and China. The couple then later lived in Lyari, Karachi. After his retirement he was involved with the sport, visiting football grounds and spending his time at his former team Saifi Club, coaching younger players.

Death Ghafoor died in Lyari, Karachi on 7 September 2012 after suffering from a paralysis attack four years prior. He was survived by his wife, his two sons and three daughters. He spent his last years in abject poverty.

3 October 1964 Workers' Stadium, Beijing, China

Friendly

25 March 1967 Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad, Pakistan

Friendly Honours

Pakistan Merdeka Tournament: runners-up (1): 1962

Karachi Kickers

Aga Khan Gold Cup (1): 1958

Mohammedan SC (Calcutta) Aga Khan Gold Cup (1): 1960 Calcutta Football League runners-up: 1960

Mohammedan SC (Dhaka)

Aga Khan Gold Cup:

Winners (1): 1968 runners-up (1): 1961

Dhaka First Division League Winners (1): 1961

Independence Day Football Tournament (1): 1961

Victoria SC Aga Khan Gold Cup: Winners (1): 1962 Dhaka First Division League Winners (2): 1962, 1964

Independence Day Football Tournament: Winners (2): 1962, 1964

Dhaka Wanderers

Dhaka First Division League runners-up (1): 1963 Independence Day Tournament (1): 1963 Aga Khan Gold Cup runners-up (1): 1963

EPIDC

Dhaka First Division League: 1970

Individual

AFC Asian All Stars: 1959