Mahmoud Yassen Souf

Mahmoud Soufi , was a naturalized Qatari football footballer who played for Al-Gharafa in the 1980s, and also represented the Qatar national team in the 1980s and 1990s.

Early life Born in Somalia's capital Mogadishu, Soufi moved to Qatar as a young adult. He was eventually naturalized and chosen to represent the Qatar national team.

Club career

Soufi was originally playing with Al-Ittihad's Basketball team but was recommended to play football by Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Faisal Al Thani. Soufi started playing for Al-Gharafa in the 1984–1985 season, the following season Al-Gharafa SC faced Al Ahli SC in the Sheikh Jassim Cup semi-finals, Soufi arrived late in the second-half, due to this the head coach left the stadium in frustration. When Soufi was substituted on he scored a brace and his teammate also scored to win the match by 3–2. Soufi was instrumental in World Cup Qualifiers, one of his most memorable moments was the game against China where he scored in the 87' minute, with his teammate Mansour Muftah following a few seconds later to win the game by 2–1. He holds the record for the most goals by a Qatari in the World Cup Qualifiers with 12 goals in 20 matches.

Legacy Soufi was remembered as an intelligent, tall, and highly skillful player in his playing days. To celebrate him, for the FIFA U-17 World Cup, Aspire Zone Pitch 8 was selected to be named after him.

Death Soufi died on 2 June 2019.

Honours Club Al-Gharafa Qatar Stars League: 1991–92, 1997–98 Qatari Second Division: 1986–87 Emir of Qatar Cup: 1994–95, 1995–96, 1996–97, 1997–98 Al-Sadd Sheikh Jassim Cup: 1997 Qatar Cup: 1998

Individual Top goal-scorer: 1990–91, 1993–94