MFL Off to a Flying Start
The Curious Observer - 19th January 2026
The Masoomin Football League kicked off this Monday and The Curious Observer is here to recount, review and revel in the moments of magic and misery alike.
The season opener presented an intriguing duel where the AFC Leopards powerhouse took on the guile of the Taifa Stars.
As expected with the first game of the season both captains set up tentatively with the Taifa Stars in control of the early exchanges. Mo ‘Maldini’ Kurji was pulling the strings. Intricate passing reminiscent of the Manchester derby between Jamal, Baqir and Ammar was a delight to watch. The young Tajri and his defence had to stand up strong to keep the score level in slick conditions.
With the Taifa Stars confidence growing, the Leopards looked to pounce. A swift ball over the top calmly dispatched by Abbas Mirza settled the nerves of the Leopards.
Moments before half time, Taifa Stars were mounting pressure. However, a sharp release from the Leopards shot stopper had the defenders running back towards their own goal and Abbas Mirza jumped highest vs Shoaib to head the ball in and break the deadlock a la Maradona 86, sans handball.
Shoaib was tested several times before the end of the half but held firm against a barrage of goal threats.
The Stars came out to shine in the second half and the Leopards were forced the dig deep and complement flair with grit. Doc used his experience to marshal the back line. Kazim, Ali Naqi and Sajjad proved essential outlets. A quick break down the right and a smart pull back from Kazim increased the lead as Imran 'Odegaard' Siwji checked his run into the box with a smart finish.
3-0 final score. Probably flatters the winners but talks of doing the Double are already rife.
A Taifa Stars Insider confidently says, "the league table means nothing right now. The league is a marathon - see you at the finish line"
MVPs for Game One: Jamal Habib (Taifa Stars) and Abbas Mirza (AFC Leopards)
In the second match of the evening the hotly tipped Super Eagles took on Bafana Bafana who you would be forgiven for thinking are a MAMT All Star team reincarnate.
The wet and windy conditions did little to dampen the fire in this contest. Both teams and both keepers were forced into early action. Crisp passes and give and go's were the order of the day.
For Bafana Bafana, Abbas Hussein and Mohamed 'Baresi' Moti rolled back the years alongside sprightly play from Murtaza and Zahid showing this was a contest.
However Haadi's Super Eagles were calm at the back and accurate further up field. Sajjad, Kassim, Ayaan and Ali proved a tricky quartet.
A penalty for the Super Eagles was the catalyst for this match. Nemo dispatched it with aplomb and the Eagles were in flight.
The pick of the goals was a classy finish from Ayaan Bhanji, at only sixteen his calm one touch finish to a ball coming over the top was, dare we say, Bergkamp-esque. The game was settled by a sharp finish from Nemo to seal the contest.
Tajri Senior was pleased to mirror his junior counterpart with a clean sheet, but rumour has it he has asked his captain to secure private security for his washbag and towel for future matches.
MVPs for Game Two: Sajjad Moti (Super Eagles) and Haider Habib (Bafana Bafana)
Three games await us on Monday and Tuesday, including the season opener for Simba FC. The Curious Observer understands from an insider that Simba have been undertaking high altitude training over the weekend in Mount Snowdon in preparation of their first match.
Matches kick off 8 PM this Monday.
The Masoomin Football League kicked off this Monday and The Curious Observer is here to recount, review and revel in the moments of magic and misery alike.
The season opener presented an intriguing duel where the AFC Leopards powerhouse took on the guile of the Taifa Stars.
As expected with the first game of the season both captains set up tentatively with the Taifa Stars in control of the early exchanges. Mo ‘Maldini’ Kurji was pulling the strings. Intricate passing reminiscent of the Manchester derby between Jamal, Baqir and Ammar was a delight to watch. The young Tajri and his defence had to stand up strong to keep the score level in slick conditions.
With the Taifa Stars confidence growing, the Leopards looked to pounce. A swift ball over the top calmly dispatched by Abbas Mirza settled the nerves of the Leopards.
Moments before half time, Taifa Stars were mounting pressure. However, a sharp release from the Leopards shot stopper had the defenders running back towards their own goal and Abbas Mirza jumped highest vs Shoaib to head the ball in and break the deadlock a la Maradona 86, sans handball.
Shoaib was tested several times before the end of the half but held firm against a barrage of goal threats.
The Stars came out to shine in the second half and the Leopards were forced the dig deep and complement flair with grit. Doc used his experience to marshal the back line. Kazim, Ali Naqi and Sajjad proved essential outlets. A quick break down the right and a smart pull back from Kazim increased the lead as Imran 'Odegaard' Siwji checked his run into the box with a smart finish.
3-0 final score. Probably flatters the winners but talks of doing the Double are already rife.
A Taifa Stars Insider confidently says, "the league table means nothing right now. The league is a marathon - see you at the finish line"
MVPs for Game One: Jamal Habib (Taifa Stars) and Abbas Mirza (AFC Leopards)
In the second match of the evening the hotly tipped Super Eagles took on Bafana Bafana who you would be forgiven for thinking are a MAMT All Star team reincarnate.
The wet and windy conditions did little to dampen the fire in this contest. Both teams and both keepers were forced into early action. Crisp passes and give and go's were the order of the day.
For Bafana Bafana, Abbas Hussein and Mohamed 'Baresi' Moti rolled back the years alongside sprightly play from Murtaza and Zahid showing this was a contest.
However Haadi's Super Eagles were calm at the back and accurate further up field. Sajjad, Kassim, Ayaan and Ali proved a tricky quartet.
A penalty for the Super Eagles was the catalyst for this match. Nemo dispatched it with aplomb and the Eagles were in flight.
The pick of the goals was a classy finish from Ayaan Bhanji, at only sixteen his calm one touch finish to a ball coming over the top was, dare we say, Bergkamp-esque. The game was settled by a sharp finish from Nemo to seal the contest.
Tajri Senior was pleased to mirror his junior counterpart with a clean sheet, but rumour has it he has asked his captain to secure private security for his washbag and towel for future matches.
MVPs for Game Two: Sajjad Moti (Super Eagles) and Haider Habib (Bafana Bafana)
Three games await us on Monday and Tuesday, including the season opener for Simba FC. The Curious Observer understands from an insider that Simba have been undertaking high altitude training over the weekend in Mount Snowdon in preparation of their first match.
Matches kick off 8 PM this Monday.
