The Curious Observer | MFL Season 3, Matchweek 5

The Curious Observer is back and extends its gratitude to the 2.0 edition for holding the fort. After careful consideration though, the contract will not be extended. Nothing personal. Three fixtures on the slate. Simba FC, the league’s last remaining unbeaten side, face the Super Eagles in what is a top versus bottom affair. Bafana Bafana take on the Silver Falcons in the middle game. And the evening closes with Taifa Stars against the AFC Leopards, a match with real implications at the top of the table. On to the football.


Game 1 | Simba FC 0–1 Super Eagles

Simba came into this one in the form of their lives. Unbeaten, the league’s stingiest defence, and fresh off a comfortable 2-0 win last week, they were everything the Eagles were not. The Eagles, by contrast, had spent much of the season wondering how they had nothing to show for their performances. Last week’s point against Taifa was a small but significant step, though they would have to take it into this fixture without Asad Rashid and Sameer Dharamsi, while Simba were themselves missing Maysum Damji and Mohamed Khaki. Muhammad Kurji was back for the Eagles at least.

Both sides knew what was at stake beyond the result itself. A Simba win would allow them to pull clear of the chasing pack, with their two closest rivals facing each other later in the evening. For the Eagles, a win could lift them off the bottom of the table. Rome was not built in a day, but the Eagles were hoping this might be the day the foundations were laid.

The first moment of quality came after a tidy passing move. Mohamed-Haadi delivered a low cross that was begging to be tapped in, but it was just beyond Abbasali’s reach and deflected off Haiderali for a corner. It could have gone anywhere.

The Eagles struck first, and in doing so did something no side had managed all season: put Simba behind. Jawaad showed pace and strength to drive past Shahid Visram on the right and whipped a low cross toward the unmarked Abbasali, who attacked it first time and found the bottom corner. The league’s stingiest defence had been breached, and the question was how the unbeaten side would respond.

Simba had no immediate answer, and the half ended with little more to show for it. The Eagles went in 1-0 up, having taken the only real chance on offer, their defence a wall that Simba could not break through.

Simba improved after the break and finally had a shot on target to show for it. Abbas Esmail knocked a long ball down for Murtaza, who found Shahid in space inside the box, only for Faraaz to sprint off his line and smother it.

The Eagles should then have doubled their lead. Baqir was dispossessed, but nicked the ball straight back, his touch carrying him perfectly toward goal. However, his left-footed strike from just outside the area was tame and Muhammad Tajri saved comfortably. Mohamed-Haadi then found himself at the back post looking certain to score, until Salmaan Alibhai threw himself in front of it.

The referee, who had enjoyed a quiet evening up to that point, was finally put to work when he booked Abbasali for needlessly kicking the ball away and delaying a Simba restart. He is fortunate he was not wearing an Arsenal shirt, or it might have been a red. Simba could not capitalise on the brief power play, and things got worse when Sajjad Moti was shown yellow for a late lunge on Baqir, leaving them a man short for what remained of the game.

It ended 1-0, and the Eagles finally have their first win and first clean sheet of the season. Simba were held scoreless and beaten for the first time, with Haiderali making vital interventions throughout. The Eagles’ solidity had an obvious source. With Muhammad Kurji marshalling the defence, Mohamed-Haadi was free to roam and box off the midfield, and Sajjad and Abbas Esmail never found any room to work. Kurji and Jawaad were especially impressive. There are rumours that Kurji wanted to play further forward this season, and that he is quite the bagsman at five-aside. Such claims remain unsubstantiated on the MFL scene, and on this evidence the Eagles will not be in any hurry to test them.

MOTM: Haiderali Habib (Simba FC) & Jawaad Mohamed (Super Eagles)


Game 2 | Bafana Bafana 1–2 Silver Falcons

Two sides who had endured difficult weeks coming into this one. Bafana had been beaten 2-0 by Simba, while the Falcons had suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat at the hands of the Leopards. Both were looking to bounce back, and with the Eagles having won game one, this had quietly become something of a six pointer at the wrong end of the table.

There was a notable change for Bafana between the sticks. Muhib is back and takes his place in goal for the first time this season. He has of course been here every week watching from the sideline, so the commute to the pitch at least was a short one. Aliakber Jaffer returns to his more familiar role outfield. MOTM as a GK one-week, back outfield the next. Such is the brutal economy of the MFL squad rotation. The Falcons were still without Ayaan Bhanji and Konain Abbas, while Bafana had a full complement available.

The stakes were clear. Bafana found themselves at the bottom of the table, while the Falcons were level on points with the Eagles. Both sides knew that losing here meant going into the break in the worst possible position.

The Falcons applied early pressure. A half chance from Zayn-Ali flashed just over the post, before Shoaib’s long throw sparked a rapid break that ended with Mohamed Bandali striking straight at Muhib. Bandali had another go from distance shortly after, again bringing a comfortable save. Bafana had their moment too, Kasim Mirza playing in Kassim Alibhai on the left, only for him to scuff the shot and see it cleared.

The opener arrived and it came, as so many do in this league, from a long throw. Gulam launched it in, Bandali flicked it on, and Zayn-Ali beat his man in the air to convert from close range. Muhib’s clean sheet dream, barely seventeen minutes old, was over.

Bafana came out sharper after the break. Kassim Alibhai peeled off his man, received on the half turn, and struck a shot arrowing into the corner from outside the area, only for Shoaib to spring to his right and somehow catch it cleanly. A brilliant stop.

The Falcons, however, were not done. Bandali fed Zayn-Ali, who threaded a first time pass into Mohammed Mirza’s run. His finish completely wrong-footed Muhib but struck the post.

The reprieve lasted seconds. Mohammed Mirza dispossessed Jamal at the halfway line and played Zayn-Ali through with a brilliant pass. The touch was perfect and the finish even better, slotted past the onrushing Muhib. 2-0, and Mohammed Mirza had made up for the earlier miss in the most immediate fashion.

Jamal then beat two Falcons on the left and saw his low shot kept out by Shoaib from a tight angle. The Falcons almost made it three when Zayn-Ali watched a long ball drop over his shoulder and struck a venomous half-volley, only to see it hit the foot of the far post.

Then came the goal the camera did not want you to see. With minutes remaining, the camera opted instead to document the crowd reaction, catching Simba keeper Muhammad Tajri leaping in sheer joy at the loss of the Falcon clean sheet. So much for the goalkeeper’s union. From what sources tell the Curious Observer, the ball was played across the box and Sajjad Bhanji tapped home from close range. 2-1, and a frantic finish beckoned.

The Falcons almost put it beyond doubt when Bandali, after a lovely exchange with Zayn-Ali, sent two defenders the wrong way with a dummy and bore down on goal. He went for power and sent it well over. It did not matter. The final whistle arrived and the Falcons had their points.

A deserved win for the Falcons, who will wonder how the margin was not greater. A week after their heaviest defeat of the season, they bounced back with their most complete performance and have done it without Ayaan Bhanji for much of the campaign. Two wins from five and plenty still to come. Mohamed Bandali and Zayn-Ali were the standouts tonight; the latter having wasted no time making his mark on the league. His four goals put him in joint second on the top scorer's list, and he is quickly building a reputation as one of the league's most lethal strikers.

For Bafana it was another flat showing. Kasim Mirza was their best performer, creating what little they did create, but clear chances were scarce and the defending left something to be desired. Back-to-back defeats ensure they go into the half term break bottom of the league. Back to the drawing board for Feisal.

MOTM: Kasim Mirza (Bafana Bafana) & Mohamed Bandali (Silver Falcons)


Game 3 | Taifa Stars 2–1 AFC Leopards

The most anticipated game of the day, and after the Eagles’ result in game one, both sides knew exactly what was at stake. A Taifa win would send them joint top. A Leopards win would put them two points clear.

Taifa were without Hussein, while the Leopards were missing Shabbir Mohamed. History and momentum both favoured the Leopards, who had won this fixture 3-1 last season and were coming off a 4-0 demolition of the Falcons. Taifa, meanwhile, had drawn 3-3 with the Eagles in a game they hit the post three times. The Curious Observer also notes that the referee arrived wearing black, which happens to be the Leopards’ colour, necessitating a kit change. Whether this was coincidence or not is not for The Curious Observer to say. We merely observe.

Adding a further layer of intrigue, this fixture featured a father and son matchup, with Taifa keeper Mohamed Waljee lining up against his son and Leopard defender Abbas Waljee. Family loyalty temporarily suspended.

Whispers had reached The Curious Observer that Hassan Tharoo had a tactical trick up his sleeve to deal with the rampant Leopards. It became clear soon enough. Ali Khaki was assigned to Imran Siwji, glued to him from the first whistle.

Not well, initially. From a Taifa corner, Imran chased down the clearance and, according to sources, chipped the keeper to make it 1-0. The camera had of course panned away at the crucial moment, leaving The Curious Observer reliant on the animated hand gestures of Ali-Naqi Esmail on the sideline, who was kind enough to reconstruct the goal for those of us watching the wrong end of the pitch. The MFL AV team have been informed. Again. So much for the man marking.

Taifa looked for an immediate response. Good link-up between Akil Ahmed and Hassan Tharoo saw the latter receive with defenders either side, keep the ball close, and eventually place his effort toward goal, only for it to drift wide. Then came the chance that really should have brought the equaliser. Mohamed Rashid had ventured forward and latched onto a speculative long-range effort, finding himself with only the keeper to beat from five yards. His volley struck the crossbar and he sent the rebound over. Last week he would have headed that one in.

The sides went into the break with the Leopards ahead, though there was very little in it. Taifa had missed their chances, the Leopards had taken theirs.

After the restart, Imran carried the ball forward from deep, drew three Taifa defenders, and cut back for Zahid, only for the ball to drift just beyond his reach. It looked as though the Leopards might extend their lead.

But Taifa had other ideas, and the Leopards’ growing anxiety at every Taifa set piece was palpable. “Who’s got Rash” could be heard on more than one occasion, such was the fear of Mohamed Rashid at these moments. All that attention on him left gaps elsewhere. From a Hassan Tharoo throw, the ball fell to a combination of Ali Khaki and Abbas Mirza, deflecting in off the post. The MFL Goals Panel ruled it an own goal, though Ali Khaki was convinced in the post-match that the touch was his. Having finally scored last week, Abbas Mirza has gone and put one past his own keeper this week. Poetic.

The equaliser had barely settled when Taifa struck again. Hassan Tharoo drove at the defence, waiting patiently for a Leopard to step out of position. He shaped to shoot, and perhaps encouraged by Mohamed Rashid’s shouts of shoot from somewhere nearby, a defender eventually obliged. Hassan slipped a beautifully disguised pass to Akil Ahmed in the box, whose control and finish were perfect. 2-1 Taifa.

Akil Ahmed almost made it three on the break, skinning his man and firing toward goal, only for Jawaad to make a smart save. The Leopards had one last chance, Abbas Mirza driving down the left and cutting back a brilliant pass to the back post. Husein Walji looked destined to score, but slipped at the moment of contact and failed to connect. Taifa survived, and the final whistle confirmed it.

Experience prevailed, and Mohamed Waljee will be holding bragging rights over his son for the foreseeable future. The man marking on Imran largely did its job too. Outside of his goal, he was kept quieter than Taifa or the Leopards would have expected. Hassan Tharoo had identified the threat and neutralised it. Pep Guardiola, take note. Taifa are remarkable from set pieces and throw ins, launching ball after ball into the box with relentless intent. Get your hard hats on if you are facing them. A fine win, and they go into the half term break joint top.

MOTM: Hassan Tharoo (Taifa Stars) & Imran Siwji (AFC Leopards)


Matchweek 5 | Final Thoughts

Before anything else, The Curious Observer would like to formally announce the creation of a sweepstake for Matchweek 6. The question is simple: how many goals will the camera miss? Entries welcome.

It was a matchweek of significant movement. The Eagles picked up their first win of the season, ending Simba’s unbeaten run in the process and announcing themselves as a genuine threat in the second half of the season. The Falcons bounced back from their heaviest defeat with their most complete performance, sending Bafana into the break at the bottom with plenty to consider. And Taifa produced the result of the week, coming from behind to beat the Leopards and capitalising on Simba’s earlier defeat.

Set pieces continue to be the defining feature of this season. Throw ins, corners, free kicks, they are all being converted at a rate that would make a rugby coach envious. If you are not organised from dead ball situations at this point, you are vulnerable. Taifa in particular have made them an art form.

At the halfway point, with every side having now faced each other once, the table makes for fascinating reading. Simba sit top on ten points, Taifa just behind in second, separated only by goal difference. The Leopards drop to third after their defeat, the Falcons hold fourth, and the Eagles’ win lifts them to fifth. Bafana bring up the rear.

In the golden boot race, Imran Siwji leads the way on six goals. Behind him, Zayn-Ali, Akil Ahmed, and Sajjad Moti are locked together on four apiece. Mohamed-Haadi, Jamaal, and Abbas Esmail sit on three each. In the golden glove standings, Mohamed Waljee and Muhammad Tajri are level on two clean sheets each, with Faraaz and Jawaad one behind. Shoaib and Muhib remain on zero, though neither has had an easy ride of it.

The following week 6 fixtures see the Silver Falcons face Simba FC, the Leopards take on the Eagles, and Taifa Stars face Bafana Bafana. The Curious Observer will be back, camera willing, to document it all.

The Curious Observer | MFL Season 3, Matchweek 4

As the Curious Observer Team looks to grow their team - this week's literary responsibilities have been commandeered by a Gen Z protégé for a one week trial.

The early kick-off saw Taifa Stars take on the Super Eagles, two sides licking their wounds after defeats last week. The AFC Leopards faced the Silver Falcons, knowing a win would put them top, at least for an hour. And in the late kick-off, Simba FC, the league’s only unbeaten side, took on Bafana Bafana looking to reclaim their spot at the summit.

Game 1 | Taifa Stars 3-3 Super Eagles

The Eagles came into this one without a point to their name and badly in need of one. They were also short of bodies. Muhammad Kurji returned to his familiar position on the sidelines, reportedly through injury, and took up the role of honorary manager instead. With Asad Rashid and Sameer Dharamshi also absent, the Eagles started with no substitutes. A difficult task had become considerably harder. Taifa, meanwhile, were without defender Ali Khaki.

The Eagles started on the front foot, pinning Taifa back with wave after wave of early pressure. Taifa had their own problem up top. Season 2 MVP Akil Ahmed was not available at kick off, so the well-established defender Mohamed Rashid found himself leading the line alone.

It worked almost immediately. Taifa won an early corner and Hassan Tharoo whipped it in to the only man in the box. Rashid lost his marker and planted a trademark header into the net. 1-0 to Taifa, entirely against the run of play.

The game went end to end. The ball then fell to Hussein Rajabali on the edge of the box, whose left-footed strike appeared to come back off the post. Eagles goalkeeper Faraaz has since claimed the save. The Curious Observer 2.0 has reviewed the footage- inconclusive thus far.

The Eagles drew level from a corner. The ball dropped to Mohamed-Haadi, who found himself on the scoresheet for the third week running. A personal note here: the Observer having played alongside Mohamed-Haadi, is more used to seeing his shots go out for throw-ins. Reports suggest his younger brother Ali Jawad, currently out injured, has been giving him shooting lessons in the back garden. Whatever it is- it's working.

The Eagles then took the lead. Kassim Khatau played a pass through to the left, and after a kind deflection it reached Baqir Ali Somani, who took his chance with no fuss. 2-1, and that is how it stayed until the break.

The second half began with some shaky play at the Eagles’ back line, eventually cleared by Faraaz. Shortly afterwards, Set Piece FC, sorry, Taifa, won another corner. Hussein Rajabali aimed it at Akil Ahmed, now on the pitch, who gently nudged it in. 2-2.

With four minutes left, Baqir picked the ball up on the halfway line, carried it forward, skipped past his man and launched a shot with his weaker foot into the back of the net. 3-2, and the first Eagles win of the season was finally in sight.

It lasted two minutes. Masoud whipped a ball across from the left wing, and Ali-Naqi Esmail swung at it and missed. The ball skipped straight through to Hussein Rajabali, who beat the keeper at his near post. 3-3. The Observer 2.0 declines to comment on why this goal cannot be seen on camera and will not be taking questions on the matter.

Honours even mean a point apiece, and both sides will be feeling they let two points slip.

MOTM: Mohamed Rashid (Taifa Stars) & Baqir Ali Somani (Super Eagles)

Game 2 | AFC Leopards 4-0 Silver Falcons

With leaders Simba yet to play, the Leopards knew a win would take them top; They were without Season 1 Veteran, Shabbir Mohamed while the Falcons were still missing Season 1 Young Player Ayaan Bhanji.

The Leopards kicked off and settled quickly, with captain Imran Siwji seeing plenty of the ball. For a long spell, though, the game was played in midfield, and neither side created much of note.

It was, inevitably, Imran who sparked the first real chance. He picked the ball up in his own half, carried it down the left and found Hussein Walji, who put it in the net. The referee called it back for a slide tackle by Hussein on Falcons keeper Shoaib.

The Leopards kept the pressure on and pinned the Falcons in their own half. With about fifteen seconds of the half remaining, the breakthrough came. Imran carried the ball almost the entire length of the pitch, from left back to the right wing and on to the near post, then squared it for Hussein Walji. 1-0 at the break.

The Falcons came out looking for an immediate response. Mohamed Bandali drove down the left and cut the ball back, and it eventually reached captain Zayn-Ali Walji. His shot forced a sharp save from Jawaad Tajri, who got down quickly to keep it out.

The Falcons enjoyed a decent spell of possession after that but could not turn it into anything clear-cut. Then Jawaad found Abbas Mirza, who had three white shirts around him. He shot anyway and beat the keeper at the near post. Some in the crowd claim it was a cross. It went in all the same, and Abbas finally has his first goal of the season. 2-0.

The Falcons did not give up, but they committed too many bodies forward and paid for it. Abbas Mirza started the counter by playing the ball in behind the lone Falcons defender. Imran ran onto it and picked out the bottom left corner. 3-0.

The final nail came from a loose clearance by Gulam Mehdi Sumar. Imran pounced, carried it to the edge of the box and squared it for Hussein Walji, who finished like a proper striker. His second of the night, and 4-0.

A dominant display from the Leopards, who went top, if only for the length of one match.

MOTM: Hussein Walji (AFC Leopards) & Mohammed Mirza (Silver Falcons)

Game 3 | Simba FC 2-0 Bafana Bafana

With the Leopards’ win, Simba kicked off in second place and needed nothing less than three points to reclaim top spot. Bafana made the headlines before a ball was kicked. Captain Fizzy had reportedly been watching the Pep Guardiola documentary and emerged with a bold idea: defender Aliakber Jaffer would start in goal.

Simba kicked off into a heavy Bafana press, which did a good job of keeping the ball in the Simba half and the favourites on the back foot. For the first ten minutes the game went end to end with neither side getting a shot away.

Then Shahid Visram broke down the right and crossed for star striker Abbas Esmail. He looked certain to score but scuffed his shot. The ball reached a Bafana defender, whose clearance smashed straight back off Abbas and into the net. 1-0. It was not pretty, but for the first time this season an Abbas Esmail goal was clearly caught on camera. The man finally gets his highlight. That makes three games in a row for him.

Bafana looked for an immediate response. Kasim Mirza played the ball out to the left, where Salmaan Alibhai and Jamaal Okera arrived at a 50/50 at full speed and collided. Salmaan got there first, and the referee judged Jamaal’s challenge reckless. He was sin-binned for the rest of the half, and Bafana lost their main attacking threat.

Simba took the free kick quickly and went forward again. Maysum Damji carried the ball down the right and, sensing the makeshift keeper was there to be tested, shot from an awkward angle. Jaffer had a moment to forget. The ball rolled over his foot and into the net. 2-0 just before the break. Pep, it seems, does not cover this in the documentary.

Bafana came out for the second half with Jamaal back and a point to prove, and they created a couple of half chances. Nothing seriously troubled the Simba defence. Credit is due to Jaffer, though. After his first-half error he gathered himself and kept Simba out for the rest of the game, which earned him the Bafana MOTM. Few keepers bounce back from a howler like that. Even fewer of them are defenders.

It finished 2-0. Simba are back on top and still unbeaten. Bafana pressed well and competed throughout but still struggle for a cutting edge. The goalkeeping experiment may need a rethink, or a few more documentary episodes.

MOTM: Shahid Visram (Simba FC) & Aliakber Jaffer (Bafana Bafana)

Matchweek 4 | Final Thoughts

A week of contrasts. The early kick-off gave us six goals and a late twist, the Leopards put on the most complete performance of the season so far, and Simba showed once again that they know how to win when it matters.

Imran Siwji now sits alone at the top of the golden boot race on five goals. Behind him, Abbas Esmail and Mohamed-Haadi continue to find the net every week. There were clean sheets for the Leopards and for Simba, who have now conceded only once in four games.

At the top, Simba move to ten points and reclaim first place, with the Leopards one behind on nine. Taifa are third on seven, the Falcons stay on four, and Bafana are on three. The Eagles finally have a point on the board, though it will feel like two dropped.

The original Curious Observer will hopefully be back next week. The 2.0 version would like to thank you for your patience.

The Curious Observer | MFL Season 3, Matchweek 3

The Curious Observer is back for Week 3, and the slate does not disappoint. The AFC Leopards take on Bafana Bafana in a midtable clash that both sides will be keen to win. Simba FC face the Taifa Stars in what promises to be a fascinating contest between two of the league’s most organised sides. And the Silver Falcons take on the Super Eagles in a game that could define both teams’ early seasons.


Game 1 | AFC Leopards 3-1 Bafana Bafana

Two sides level on points and goal difference going into this one. The Leopards came into it with a point to prove after a flat second week display in which they were held scoreless. The talk in their camp was simple: create more. Bafana, by contrast, arrived with a spring in their step after their impressive 3-1 win over the Eagles and were looking for more of the same tonight. History though, was not on their side as the Leopards ran out 2-0 victors in this fixture last season. Both sides were at full strength and there was nothing between them on paper. The rain was pouring and the stage was set for the showdown.

It took precisely one minute to render all of that preamble irrelevant. From a Leopard throw in, a Bafana defender failed to deal with the ball cleanly and Imran needed no second invitation, nicking it and slotting into the bottom corner. A nightmare start for Bafana before they had even drawn breath

A minute later, Zahid, playing against his old team, brought a clearance down and sent a low shot goalward, only for Amir to tip it around the post. Shortly after, from a Bafana corner, Jamaal delivered deep toward Jaffer, who in a near replica of his goal the previous week, headed just a yard wide.

The Leopards were far from content with one though and were unfortunate not to be further ahead. Imran beat his man on the left and his low cross fell to Zahid, whose strike from 5 yards was smothered by Kassim Alibhai to prevent the goal. Abbas Mirza then intercepted a Bafana pass and drove a left footed strike just beyond the post, still searching for his first goal of the season.

Bafana had their own moment though. A good team move ended with Kasim Mirza controlling and striking a powerful volley inside the box, only for Abbas Waljee to produce a brilliant block. The half ended with the Leopards ahead by just one, a combination of wayward finishing and last ditch defending keeping Bafana in it. For Bafana’s part, they had struggled to find their rhythm and to get Jamaal involved in dangerous areas.

The equaliser arrived early in the second half, and it was pure individual brilliance. Jamaal cut inside from the left wing past two Leopard defenders and snuck a powerful low shot through the defender’s legs and past the keeper at the near post. 1-1, and the game was alive again.

Then came one of the more extraordinary sequences the MFL has witnessed. A Leopard corner was punched high into the air by Amir, the ball dropping and bouncing on the goal line before Jaffer hacked it clear. The danger was not over. The ball rolled toward the edge of the area, Imran volleyed it first time, it deflected off Feisal, then off Hasnain Khimji, then struck Amir in the face and stayed out. Bafana’s goal is leading a charmed life.

The pressure would eventually tell. Amir came to punch another Leopard throw in but did not get clean contact. Imran pounced on the loose ball and flicked it over his head toward goal. Despite Feisal’s acrobatic attempt to clear, it bounced in. One of the more peculiar goals in MFL history, but Imran was not complaining. 2-1.

Within a minute it was three. Shabbir Mohamed won the ball from a loose Bafana touch and sparked a classic Leopard counter. Abbas Mirza waited patiently before threading an inch perfect pass into Imran’s stride, who finished first time. A hat-trick. Abbas Mirza may not have found the net tonight, but his performance was one that deserved a goal.

It ended 3-1 and the scoreline was no more than the Leopards deserved. Their best performance of the season so far. For Bafana, a step back after last week’s encouraging win, struggling to meaningfully connect attack and defence. Both sets of defenders deserve credit, the Leopards for suffocating Bafana’s build up play throughout, and Bafana for the last-ditch interventions that kept the scoreline respectable for as long as it was.

MOTM: Imran Siwji (AFC Leopards) & Jamaal Okera (Bafana Bafana)


Game 2 | Simba FC 4-1 Taifa Stars

Now for our top of the table clash. Both sides had won their opening two games and kept clean sheets in the process, thus pitting the league’s two stingiest defences against one another. Something was going to have to give.

Taifa made an interesting tactical decision ahead of kick off, electing to start with an extra defender and name striker Akil Ahmed among the substitutes. Whether Hassan Tharoo was looking to shore things up against Simba’s threat or simply set up to frustrate and counter, it was a talking point before a ball had been kicked. The Falcons were without Mohamed Khaki this week, which denied us what would have been an intriguing matchup between the Khaki brothers on opposite sides. Taifa were otherwise at full strength. Simba had a point to prove at the top.

Early controversy set the tone. From a long throw, Mohamed Rashid headed goalward only for Maysum Damji to seemingly prevent it with his hand. The referee waved away the appeals immediately, ruling that Maysum had no time to react. Taifa were incensed and will no doubt point to this decision as further evidence of a red cartel operating at the highest levels of the MFL. The Curious Observer has no comment on the matter and reminds readers that 115 charges of financial misconduct are entirely unrelated to a handball decision in Moseley School Fitness Centre.

The opener arrived shortly after, and it was the first time Taifa had been breached all season. Play broke down around the halfway line, the ball fell to Sajjad Moti, and he threaded a pass through to Abbas Esmail who made no mistake from close range. Two questions must be asked. Firstly, where exactly were the Taifa defenders? And secondly, what has Abbas Esmail done to upset the camera operator, because for the second week running the device failed to capture his goal. The man deserves better.

Simba were not done. Sajjad drove at the Taifa defence from the halfway line and slalomed between two defenders. He seemed second best to reach his own touch but ran around Mohamed Rashid and finished through the keeper’s legs from the tightest of angles. A brilliant individual goal, though Taifa will be deeply disappointed to have allowed one man through so many bodies. 2-0.

The third came through calamity. A Taifa miscommunication during build up gifted Sajjad the ball, his low shot struck the post and bounced back out to Murtaza, who tapped into an empty net from three yards. Taifa looked stunned. Credit must also be given to the Simba defence and midfield who had completely nullified the Taifa attack. They went into the break 3-0 down having barely ventured into the opposition half. A response was needed and they knew it.

The first four minutes of the second half were their best of the game so far. Muhammad Tajri produced a brilliant reflex save to deny a glancing Akil Ahmed header from Hassan’s throw. Taifa then came close again through some good combination play, Hussein Rajabali nicking the ball off Sajjad and playing a quick one-two with Hassan Tharoo, only for the return pass to slip through Hassan’s legs from five yards. The improvement was evident. Whether it would translate into goals was another matter.

Just as Taifa’s pressure was building, Masoud was adjudged to have tripped Shahid Visram in the box and the referee pointed to the spot. Sajjad stepped up and dispatched it. 4-0, and the game was beyond any doubt.

Taifa did get the goal their second half performance deserved. Masoud powered through a couple of Simba players and found Hussein on the right wing, who struck a first time right footed shot. Tajri somehow got a hand to it but could only divert it into the path of Akil Ahmed, who was well placed to tap home. 4-1.

That was that. Few could have predicted this margin, and certainly not from a side that had yet to concede all season. Simba will be delighted with back-to-back wins and a place firmly at the top of the table. Taifa will want to forget the first half entirely, though the second showed enough to suggest this was an off night rather than a true reflection of where they are.

MOTM: Sajjad Moti (Simba FC) & Akil Ahmed (Taifa Stars)


Game 3 | Silver Falcons 2-1 Super Eagles

The final game of the evening, an avian affair, brought together the two sides yet to register a win. The Falcons had been overwhelmed by Taifa in week two, never really getting out of the blocks, while the Eagles had been the more unfortunate of the two, losing games despite creating plenty of chances. Both were desperate for their first win.

The Falcons were still without Ayaan Bhanji but had Gulam Mehdi Sumar and Javad Khaku back this week. A significant improvement on the seven they were forced to work with last time out. The Eagles, meanwhile, were boosted by the long-awaited return of Muhammad Kurji, making his first appearance of the season. Abbasali Hemraj and Sameer Dharamsi though, remained absent.

The Falcons made the perfect start. Mohammed Mirza dispossessed an Eagle and found Mohamed Bandali, who drove positively at the defence before being brought down. Advantage was played as the ball rolled kindly to Zayn-Ali inside the box and he made no mistake with the finish. A rude awakening for Faraaz Fazel, back between the sticks after missing last week’s game, his clean sheet breached before he had even had time to settle. Zayn-Ali then stung his gloves moments later, a fierce strike that Faraaz had to parry over for a corner. The Eagles were rattled.

They began to find their feet. Good passing play worked the ball wide to Baqir on the left wing, his low hard shot drifting just past the post. The game was growing feistier by the minute, neither side shying away from a challenge. It produced the season’s first yellow card; Konain Abbas booked for a sliding tackle. The challenge was not malicious, but the rules are the rules. Those rules, available at tournifyapp.com/live/mfl-s3, pardon the plug, are worth familiarising yourself with. He received a sin bin and sat out three minutes, leaving the Falcons temporarily a man down.

Gulam then brought the ball out of defence and found Mohammed Mirza in a pocket of space. He jinked past Kurji and Ali-Naqi before seeing his shot blocked but was first to react to the loose ball and rattled the crossbar with a venomous first-time effort. The Falcons went into the break ahead and had been the better side. The Eagles had struggled to manufacture anything clear.

The second half barely had time to start before the Eagles levelled. Kassim Khatau picked up the ball on the right and struck toward goal. The ball appeared to be drifting just wide until Mohamed-Haadi ghosted in at the back post to tap home. On the sideline, debate immediately broke out as to whether Kassim had intended to shoot or pass. In the post-match, Kassim maintained he had spotted his captain at the back stick all along. If so, that was Ozil-esque vision. Whether you give him the benefit of the doubt is entirely up to you.

The Eagles were now in the ascendancy. An almost identical chance fell moments later, Kassim again picking out Mohamed-Haadi at the back post, only for the captain to head over from close range. A big chance spurned. They came even closer from a corner, the ball falling to Kurji with the goal gaping, only for Shoaib and Javad to converge and produce a brilliant block on the line.

Then, completely against the run of play, the Falcons retook the lead. Mohamed Bandali stood his defender up, waiting for support, before picking out Zayn-Ali making a brilliant run on Mohamed-Haadi’s blindside. He swept home first time to make it 2-1.

And that is how it would end. The Eagles pushed in the closing stages but could not find a way through a well organised Falcon low block, and the final whistle brought with it a first win of the season for Zayn-Ali’s side.

Few would have called this before kick-off given their respective showings last week and the Eagles’ bolstered availability. The Falcons, however, were a different proposition tonight, sharper, more energetic, and more aggressive than they had been in their previous outing.

For the Eagles, it is now three defeats from three. They have scored in every game, created chances in every game, and yet find themselves bottom of the table. The Falcons Ultras, in typical tongue in cheek fashion asked when Muhammad Kurji was finally going to return so that the Eagles’ season could properly begin. The season is long so the Observer will refrain from passing judgement too soon. For now, the Falcons are the kings of the skies.

MOTM: Zayn-Ali Walji (Silver Falcons) & Mohamed-Haadi (Super Eagles)


Matchweek 3 | Final Thoughts

And so ends an entertaining Matchweek 3. We had a bit of everything. Unexpected results, goals galore, and despite there not being a clean sheet in sight, some genuinely good defending too. The MFL continues to refuse to follow a script.

In the attacking department, Abbas Esmail deserves a mention. New to the league this season, he has now scored in back-to-back games. If you did not know him before, you do now.

Every game this week featured a player scoring two or more goals. Imran Siwji, Sajjad Moti, and Zayn-Ali Walji all helped themselves to multiples. The golden boot race is beginning to take shape too. Imran and Sajjad sit joint top with four goals apiece, Jamaal is second on three, and there is a four-way tie for third. It is still early but the contenders are beginning to emerge.

In goalkeeping news, Muhammad Tajri’s clean sheet was finally breached late on against Taifa, meaning Mohamed Waljee remains the only keeper with two clean sheets to his name and continues to lead the golden glove table.

On the subject of tables, there is a new name at the top. Simba’s impressive victory gives them seven points and takes them clear. Taifa and the Leopards sit second and third on six points each, while the Falcons’ first win lifts them to fourth on four. Bafana are fifth on three, and the Eagles remain rooted to the bottom without a point from three games.

Next week, the Taifa Stars face the Super Eagles, two sides licking their wounds after defeats this week. The Leopards take on the Silver Falcons in what should be a competitive midtable clash. And Simba, the league’s only unbeaten side, face Bafana Bafana in the late kick-off. The Curious Observer will be watching.

The Curious Observer | MFL Season 3, Matchweek 2

Week 2 is here and so is the Curious Observer, notebook in hand and ready to report. The licensed referee has settled in without fuss, and in a welcome development, this week's footage found its way online considerably faster than before. Whether that is down to the MFL panel having a quiet word with the AV team, or the captains turning up at Aliakber's door with pitchforks demanding the footage so they could get their analysis done, The Curious Observer cannot say.

On to the football. The Silver Falcons face the Taifa Stars, the Super Eagles take on Bafana Bafana, and Simba meets the AFC Leopards in the battle of the big cats.


Game 1 | Silver Falcons 0–3 Taifa Stars

The Falcons came into this one with some genuine momentum after clawing back a point against Simba last week, but that momentum took an early hit as news filtered through of several absentees. Season 1 Young MVP Ayaan Bhanji was missing through injury, with Gulam Mehdi Sumar and Javad Khaku also unavailable, leaving the Falcons with just seven players to call upon. Taifa, by contrast, arrived at full strength and in high spirits after last week's composed 2-0 win over Bafana.

The opening exchanges told you everything you needed to know about how the evening would unfold. Taifa, just as they had done in Matchweek 1, took the lead early and from a set piece. Hassan Tharoo, having been fouled, whipped the ball toward the back post where Mohamed Rashid was first to it, prodding through Shoaib's legs.

A massive chance came and went shortly after, created by the unlikely figure of defender Ali Khaki, who nicked the ball, drove to the byline, and cut it back to Hassan, whose first-time effort was kept out by Shoaib. Then Mohamed Rashid struck the post from a corner, his header arrowing toward goal before the woodwork intervened. The Falcons were under siege.

It soon became 2-0. Hassan intercepted on the halfway line and slipped Akil Ahmed in on the wing. With a numbers advantage, Akil laid it back for Hussein, who placed the ball into the top corner from just inside the box. From the Falcons' next attack, Taifa immediately broke again, Mohamed Waljee launching long from his goal kick. The Falcons failed to deal with it, the ball looping over their defence for Owais to chase. He got his toe on it before the onrushing Shoaib could react, poking it through his legs. 3-0. There was some muttering afterwards about whether it might have been an own goal, though Owais was keen to set the record straight in the post-match. The touch was his; he assured us.

What followed was more of the same, Taifa creating chance after chance while Shoaib produced a string of fine stops to prevent the scoreline from becoming worse. The Falcons' best moment came when Zayn-Ali whipped a looping cross from deep that sailed over Mohamed Waljee and struck the post. In truth, that was as close as they came. Masoud was particularly impressive throughout, repeatedly winning the ball back with pinpoint tackles before driving forward in the manner those familiar with the Monday Night Football sessions will recognise. He was not alone either, the Stars' defence and midfield collectively making it a very long evening for the Falcons.

It ended 3-0. A resounding win for Taifa and a difficult evening for the Falcons, though the absences did them no favours. Shoaib's performance in a one-sided contest earned him a second consecutive MOTM award. The Falcons will be grateful to have a keeper of his quality, though they will know that relying on him this heavily is not a sustainable strategy. There is defensive work to be done.

MOTM: Shoaib Walji (Silver Falcons) & Masoud Noori (Taifa Stars)


Game 2 | Super Eagles 1–3 Bafana Bafana

Both sides came into this one looking to right the wrongs of Matchweek 1. The Eagles had squandered a lead against the Leopards, while Bafana had been well beaten by Taifa.

The Eagles were significantly weakened. Muhammad Kurji remained absent, with word reaching The Curious Observer that he has been maintaining his fitness through five-aside football while he awaits his return. Abbasali Hemraj and Faraaz Fazel were also missing, the latter's absence triggering the emergency goalkeeper rule with Hassan Velji stepping in between the sticks. Bafana were without Mohamed Moti, and with Jamaal arriving late, Feisal deployed Mohamedabbas Jaffer up front. Keen readers will recall that Jaffer filled that role on more than one occasion last season and was quietly effective in it. History gave Bafana the edge coming in, having won 2-0 last season and dispatched the Eagles on penalties in the cup final.

They started the brighter of the two sides. Mohamed-Haadi threaded a lovely ball toward the back post for Kassim Khatau running onto it, but he failed to make clean contact and blazed over. Mohamed-Haadi created again shortly after, finding Asad Rashid inside the box with space, only for Amir Hemraj to turn it around the post.

Against the run of play, Bafana took the lead through a set piece, adding to what is fast becoming one of Season 3's defining features. Jamaal whipped a deep corner in and Jaffer met it perfectly, planting a header into the bottom corner.

Kassim Alibhai then pounced on an Eagles error and bore down on goal, his attempt to finesse toward the far corner met by a brilliant save from Hassan, a stop that those familiar with the Masoomin five-aside scene over the years will recognise immediately. As the half wound down, Jamaal chased a clearance, beat the onrushing keeper to the ball, and from the narrowest of angles chipped it over him. There was some Eagles protest that the ball had already gone out, but there was no doubting the quality of the finish. 2-0 at half time, and the Eagles had it all to do.

The second half opened in alarming fashion for the Eagles, losing the ball playing out before Kassim Alibhai's pressing set Jamaal through, only for Hassan to spring low and turn it around the post. His second fine stop of the game. Mohamed-Haadi then whipped a free kick toward Kassim Khatau, whose header from five yards fell straight into Amir Hemraj's arms.

The Eagles pulled one back when it mattered most. Mohamed-Haadi received outside the box, drove past his man, and arrowed a low left-footed strike into the bottom corner off the post. 2-1.

Bafana came close to restoring their two-goal cushion almost immediately, Jamaal striking the foot of the post with a left-footed effort after a patient passing move. Amir Hemraj launched a long throw to spark a rapid break, Jamaal again beat the keeper to it and rounded him, only to blaze well over with Ali-Naqi having tracked back onto the goal line to potentially do just enough to put him off.

The Eagles went close twice in quick succession. Asad played an inch-perfect reverse pass to Baqir whose initial shot was smothered by Amir Hemraj, the rebound seemingly destined for the net, only to find Feisal already stationed on the line behind his keeper, doing what captains do. Then, in almost identical fashion to his first half chance, Mohamed-Haadi found Kassim Khatau at the back post from close range. He failed to make good contact again and the ball sailed over. Insiders told the Curious Observer that bobble defence was deployed by Kassim Khatau in the post-match; take from that what you will.

Bafana settled it with a third. Good combination play between Kasim Mirza and Jamaal ended with the latter shifting his defender and burying at the near post. 3-1, and that was that.

A thrilling game with chances at both ends, but the Eagles will be deeply frustrated. Two defeats from two despite being tipped by many as favourites before the season, and with several key players still to return. For Bafana it was a much-improved performance, the quartet of Jaffer, Kassim Alibhai, Kasim Mirza, and Jamaal causing the Eagles defence no end of problems. Both sides will know, however, that there is defensive work still to do if they are to go deep into the season.

MOTM: Mohamed-Haadi (Super Eagles) & Jamaal Okera (Bafana Bafana)


Game 3 | AFC Leopards 0–1 Simba FC

Full squads for both sides and plenty of motivation to go with it. Simba had let a two goal lead slip against the Falcons last week and would have been eager to show that was an aberration. The Leopards, for their part, had ground out three points without ever hitting top gear and were looking for a more convincing performance. History added a little extra spice too, last season's equivalent fixture ending 3-1 to Simba, a result that ultimately handed Taifa the league title. The big cats had unfinished business.

Simba struck early. Play broke down in the Leopards' half, Maysum Damji did well to block the clearance and leave the ball loose, and Abbas Esmail attacked it immediately, curling a low first-time effort under the keeper from outside the box. It was a fine goal. The Curious Observer can confirm this entirely on faith, however, as the camera chose the precise moment Abbas Esmail swung his foot back to pan smoothly to the opposite end of the pitch. The Curious Observer has filed its feedback with the MFL AV team accordingly.

The Leopards won a couple of free kicks in promising positions, but Simba were resolute, bodies behind the ball and blocking everything that came their way. A half chance fell to Sajjad before the break, his shot arrowing toward the bottom corner before Jawaad got down well to keep it out. That was largely it for the half. Both defences had kept the opposing team's main threats completely quiet, but Simba had the only goal and that would give them something to defend.

The second half followed a similar pattern. The Leopards' first meaningful shot on target came from a free kick, Imran having been fouled just outside the area, his effort well saved by Muhammad Tajri. Simba came close through their high press, catching the Leopards napping and rolling the ball into Sajjad's path on the edge of the box, only for him to blaze over. Late on, Sajjad drove down the left and shifted his man inside the box before Abbas Waljee produced a smart block to deny him. A game featuring three of the league's most prolific scorers across the first two seasons, Imran, Abbas Mirza, and Sajjad, ultimately saw none of them get a sniff. On this occasion, it was the defenders who stole the show.

It ended 1-0. The Lions, it turns out, are the kings of the jungle. More importantly, both defences deserve enormous credit for what was a genuinely impressive collective display. For Simba, Haiderali and Shahid Visram were outstanding, the former going tight to his man all evening to snuff out danger before it materialised, the latter intercepting pass after pass and immediately driving his team forward. For the Leopards, Shabbir Mohamed was equally composed, quelling several Simba attacks and playing out from the back with real assurance. Both sides will be looking to be more threatening going forward, but on a night when the defences ran the show, Simba's solitary goal was enough.

MOTM: Shabbir Mohamed (AFC Leopards) & Haiderali Habib (Simba FC)


Matchweek 2 | Final Thoughts

Two Matchweeks in and Season 3 is already showing its character. The first two games delivered goals, drama, and chances galore, before the third served up a defensive masterclass as a palate cleanser. Something for everyone.

Taifa Stars continue to set the standard. Two wins from two, five goals scored from five different scorers, and none conceded. The balance in their attacking output is as impressive as the defensive solidity behind it. For the Falcons, it is back to the drawing board after a difficult evening. The absences hurt, but there is work to do regardless, and the whole league will be hoping they have a fuller complement available in the weeks ahead.

Bafana will take enormous encouragement from a much-improved performance and a first win of the season. The Eagles, by contrast, will be deeply frustrated. The performances have not been without merit, but the points are not coming, and with key players still to return, they will need to find a way soon. Simba sit second on four points after their hard-fought win, while the Leopards are on three and will feel there is more in them going forward.

Brothers Jamaal and Haiderali both walked away with MOTM awards on the same night. Perhaps both had enjoyed a plate of ugali before the match. Add in Mohamed Waljee's two clean sheets from two, and the Kenyans are collectively having quite the season so far. Meanwhile, in the scoring charts, Jamaal and Sajjad lead the way with two goals apiece.

Next week serves up another intriguing slate. The AFC Leopards face Bafana Bafana in a midtable clash that both sides need. Simba and Taifa meet in what promises to be a fascinating contest between the league's two best defences. And having crowned the king of the jungle this week, Matchweek 3 will look to settle who rules the skies, as the Silver Falcons take on the Super Eagles. The Curious Observer will be watching.

The Curious Observer | MFL Season 3, Matchweek 1

The Masoomin Football League is back, and Season 3 means business. The Curious Observer returns, notebook in hand, to document what promises to be the most expansive season yet. For the first time, every side will face each other twice, licensed referees will grace the touchline, and with roughly one in five players being entirely new to the league, the landscape has shifted considerably. The public asked. The MFL board listened!

Three new captains take the armband this season. Feisal Salemohamed returns after sitting out Season 2 to inherit the Bafana reins. Hassan Tharoo and Zayn-Ali Walji are entirely new to the league, taking charge of Taifa Stars and Silver Falcons respectively. They join returning skippers Imran Siwji, Sajjad Moti, and Mohamed Haadi, each of whom has unfinished business.

Taifa's league-winning captain Muhammad Kurji finds himself on holiday at the start of the season, relinquishing the armband to Hassan Tharoo in his absence. The Curious Observer understands Kurji left Tharoo in no doubt about the standards expected and the importance of respecting the badge. Strange, given all the shirts carry only the MFL crest. But the sentiment stands.

The draft has produced some intriguing storylines. Imran Siwji secured first pick again and selected Abbas Mirza, again. The conspiratorially minded are already suggesting a brown envelope may have changed hands. Mohamed Haadi, meanwhile, has entered the market with the energy of a man who has finished cup runner-up two seasons running and has had quite enough of it. He drafted Muhammad Kurji and Abbasali Hemraj, meaning the Eagles now boast three of last season's six captains. Kassim Khatau, who has lined up alongside Haadi in every MFL season, is back too. Some partnerships are simply non-negotiable.

Over at Simba, Sajjad Moti drafted last season's Bafana captain Shahid Visram, and has once again kept faith with goalkeeper Muhammad Tajri, who has now been on Sajjad's team in every season of the league. At this point it is less a draft pick and more a standing arrangement. New Falcons captain Zayn-Ali Walji has sensibly surrounded himself with familiar faces from his years in MAMT tournaments, chief among them his brother Shoaib Walji in goal. There may have been some awkward car journeys home had that not been the case. Bafana, meanwhile, enter the season with the most upheaval of any side. Of their remarkable Season 2 squad, only talisman Jamal Okera remains, with Feisal drawing heavily from the Tuesday over-34s session to rebuild. Whether that experience translates remains one of the season's more intriguing questions.

On the subject of family, Season 3 features a bumper crop of familiar surnames. Three Mirzas on the teamsheet. A Bhanji father-son pairing. The Alibhai brothers. The Walji brothers. And yet, miraculously, only one of these pairings ended up on the same team. The league's ability to pull families apart on draft day continues to astound.

Right. The football.



Game 1 | Super Eagles 1–2 AFC Leopards

A repeat of Season 1's final, which the Leopards won 1-0, and last season's semi-final, in which the Eagles ran out comfortable winners. With that history in mind, revenge was very much on the cards for the Leopards. The Eagles were without Muhammad Kurji. The Leopards, by contrast, had a full complement to choose from.

The early exchanges were fairly even, with neither side carving out anything of real quality. Both had sighters from wide angles that either drifted wide or were dealt with comfortably by the keepers.

That changed in quick succession either side of the quarter hour. A corner taken quickly found Imran in space from five yards out, his redirect toward goal kept out on the line by a brilliant block by Abbasali.

As if the scare woke the Eagles from their slumber, they went straight up the other end and scored. Faraaz launched a searching ball over the Leopards defence, Kassim Khatau chested it down and delicately dinked the bouncing ball over Jawaad. 1-0. It was the latest instalment in what is becoming something of a Kassim Khatau tradition, having scored in last season's playoff fixture and netted his side's only goal in the recent MAMT tournament. The man saves his best for the big occasions. The Leopards almost responded immediately; Imran skipping past a defender in the box before sending his effort wide. The half ended 1-0, with both sides knowing there was plenty still to play for.

The second half had barely started before the Eagles struck the post, winning possession in their own half and breaking forward, Abbasali driving past his man on the right wing only for his low shot to clip the foot of the near post.

Shortly after, every car alarm in the vicinity appeared to go off at once. Spectators exchanged baffled glances. As it turned out, it was merely the universe's way of heralding an equaliser. Imran drove down the left, pulled the ball back to Husein Walji, and though his strike was blocked, Tausif was first to the rebound to tap home from close range. 1-1.

The Leopards were not done. From a throw in deep in their own half, Imran rolled his man in midfield, drove at the Eagles defence, cut inside, and sent a low shot nestling into the bottom corner at the near post. 2-1, and the game had been completely turned on its head.

The Eagles pushed for a leveller in the closing stages but could not fashion that clear chance, their sharpness fading at precisely the wrong moment. Perhaps the car alarms had something to do with it. The Leopards, meanwhile, may just have found their very own version of North London Forever.

MOTM: Asad Rashid (Super Eagles) & Imran Siwji (AFC Leopards)



Game 2 | Simba FC 2–2 Silver Falcons

No absentees from either side. The teams may look different from their Season 2 iterations, but the Falcons had a very specific memory in mind, having been beaten 2-0 in this fixture last season. The stage was set for a proper contest.

It did not take long to catch fire. Mohamed Bandali slipped in Ayaan with acres of space, only for Muhammad Tajri to produce a brilliant low save before displaying cat-like reflexes to turn the rebound effort from Zayn-Ali around the post. Simba went straight up the other end and scored. The Falcons lost the ball in midfield, Murtaza intercepted and played in Sajjad, who skipped past the last defender and poked it under Shoaib. A surgical counter.

Simba continued to threaten, a clever reverse pass from Maysum finding Sajjad, whose close-range effort was smothered by Shoaib. The Falcons were far from done though, Zayn-Ali hassling a Simba defender into a mistake before getting his shot away, only for Tajri to be equal to it. The Falcons then came agonisingly close to levelling, Shoaib launching a long throw that set Ayaan free, his left-footed strike from wide clipping the outside of the post. From the clearance Simba immediately broke the other way, Sajjad cutting back to Murtaza inside the box, but Shoaib stood tall. Both keepers were putting on a masterclass, and the half had barely reached its midpoint.

The sides went in at the break with Simba 1-0 ahead, though the score line flattered nobody. What had started as a cagey affair had turned into a relentless back-and-forth, and the second half promised more of the same.

It delivered immediately. Sajjad picked the ball up on the halfway line, drove at a stretched Falcons defence, cut inside onto his right, and struck. Shoaib got a hand to it but could not keep it out. 2-0, and Sajjad's fingerprints were all over this game.

The Falcons hit back almost immediately. Simba surrendered possession from their own throw in, the ball found Bandali, and his perfectly weighted pass picked out Ayaan from close range. 2-1. It got more dramatic still moments later when the Falcons were awarded a penalty, Salmaan hauling back Zayn-Ali as he drove into the area. Ayaan stepped up. He struck the bar. Simba survived, for now.

Sajjad then danced past what seemed like the entire Falcon defence before cutting back to Murtaza in the box, who failed to make clean contact and Shoaib smothered it. Shoaib then produced arguably his best stop of the evening, springing low to his left to tip a first-time curling effort from Maysum around the post. From the resulting corner, a short ball left Ayaan unmarked, and he threaded a low cross that Bandali dispatched first time. 2-2.

Both sides will feel they deserved more. Both keepers were outstanding. Both defences, at various points, were not.

MOTM: Sajjad Moti (Simba FC) & Shoaib Walji (Silver Falcons)



Game 3 | Taifa Stars 2–0 Bafana Bafana

The final game of the day, and if last season was anything to go by, the crowd knew what they were in for. These two sides met twice in Season 2, producing a pair of dramatic 2-2 draws, with Bafana needing penalties to edge Taifa out of the cup. With both sides at full strength and the crowd primed, another classic felt well within reach.

Taifa wasted no time imposing themselves. A high press from the off created immediate havoc, and within minutes they had worked the ball into a crossing position, the low ball in not cleared cleanly, and Hassan Tharoo's shot from just inside the area struck a hand. Penalty. Masoud stepped up. Amir Hemraj saved it. At this point Bafana's relationship with penalty situations, requires some serious theological examination. What we can say with confidence is that whatever higher power is overseeing these matters appears to be firmly in the Bafana corner. They have yet to lose one.

Taifa were not to be denied for long. From a throw in, Hassan launched it toward Akil Ahmed, who wrestled two Bafana defenders before getting just enough on it to beat the keeper. 1-0, and the throw in continues to be one of the deadliest weapons in the MFL arsenal this season.

After soaking up a spell of Bafana pressure, Taifa pounced on a mistake in possession, Hassan intercepting and driving toward goal. With support alongside him and the defender frozen, he opted to shoot, slotting into the far corner with Amir well beaten. Henry-esque does not feel like an overstatement. Meanwhile, on the sidelines, Zully and company had organised what appeared to be a volleyball session mid-game. Birmingham's MAMT volleyball record suddenly makes a lot more sense. No judgement from The Curious Observer.

Bafana went into the break 2-0 down but had not been entirely without threat. Their long throws caused problems and they had decent spells of pressure, but clear chances remained elusive. Taifa had a lead to protect and looked well equipped to do so.

The second half followed a familiar pattern. After more Bafana pressure, Taifa broke, Masoud driving forward and striking a low shot that Amir saved initially before scrambling back to push the ball around the post with Akil bearing down on him. Bafana had their own moment shortly after, Jamal taking a lovely touch to get around Abbas Dhalla before striking a low shot that Mohamed Waljee, Kenya's finest, was well positioned to parry around the post.

Taifa's clearest chance to put the game to bed came when Akil held the ball up with two unmarked runners ahead of him. He chose Hassan, who attempted a cheeky chip that beat the keeper but struck the crossbar. It stayed out. The game ended 2-0.

Taifa will feel there were more goals in that performance with sharper decision making. Bafana will feel their pressure deserved more than it got. A clean sheet and a win for the Stars on opening night is a solid platform regardless.

MOTM: Mohamed Rashid (Taifa Stars) & Amir Hemraj (Bafana Bafana)



Matchweek 1 | Final Thoughts

A strong opening night for Season 3. The champions elect remain unclear, the new faces have made their presence felt, and the licensed referees have already had plenty to keep them busy.

Early days, but the individual narratives are already taking shape. Sajjad Moti has picked up exactly where he left off, finding the net twice on the opening night to sit top of the scoring charts. Mohamed Waljee, meanwhile, leads on the clean sheet front, Taifa being the only side to keep one on the night.

Next week brings another enticing slate. The Silver Falcons face the Taifa Stars in what should be a lively test for the new Falcon captain against the league's early pacesetters. The Super Eagles take on Bafana Bafana. And Simba face the AFC Leopards in the battle of the big cats. The Curious Observer will be watching.

The Curious Observer | MFL Season 2, Matchweeks 6 & 7

After taking a break last week due to the absence of both the camera & cameraman, the Curious Observer is back with a bumper edition of your favourite armchair analysis. We begin with a quick rundown of week 6’s playoff fixtures. The first of which, saw the surging Simba take on bottom of the table Super Eagles. The latter largely controlled proceedings and won 1-0 through a fine strike from the edge of the box by Kassim Khatau, his first goal of the season and a moment to remember. This took the Eagles win tally for the season to 2, both coming against Simba. Dr. Tottenham, it turns out, wears a Simba shirt.

MOTM: Kassim Khatau (Super Eagles) & Sajjad Moti (Simba FC)

The second game was a different story entirely. The Falcons raced into a 2-0 lead at half time through Ammar Siwji and Sajjad Khaki, with Jawaad Tajri deputising in goal for Bafana. But Bafana came surging back. Ali-Taqi pulled one back with a good finish from a corner, before a late Amir punch looped back over the line in the most bizarre of fashions to make it 2-2. In the penalty shootout, Ali Taqi and Ammar Siwji both converted before Jamal saw his effort saved by Amir. The Falcons had their chance to seize the advantage, but Murtaza's kick was also kept out. Shahid Visram stepped up and dispatched Bafana's third with authority, piling all the pressure onto Abbasali. He needed to score to keep the Falcons alive. He blazed it over the bar. Shades of Gabriel in the Champions League final, and Bafana were through.

That set up a mouth-watering matchweek 7.Taifa Stars against Bafana, a repeat of last week's thriller. AFC Leopards against the Super Eagles, a repeat of Season 1's final. Both ties bristling with history. On to matchweek 7.

MOTM: Ali-Taqi Bajwa (Bafana Bafana) & Ammar Siwji (Silver Falcons)


Matchweek 7

Game 1 | Taifa Stars 2-2* Bafana Bafana

With the playoffs out of the way, we have made it to the final matchweek of the season and the Curious Observer has laid out a full spread for your reading pleasure. The man on the whistle for this week’s slate of games was Simba skipper Sajjad Moti.

Up first was the league’s favourites Taifa Stars vs Bafana Bafana. Spirits were high for both camps as the former had just been crowned league champions, while Bafana had won their playoff game to book their spot in this matchup. There were notable absentees for both sides. Taifa would be without their bagsman Abbas Mirza while Bafana would be without Salmaan, Kazim & Zahid. To make matters worse, Bafana would have to start the game with only 4 outfield players as both Ali Taqi & Javad were running late.

Taifa wasted no time making their numerical advantage count. Four minutes in, Muhammad Kurji was given just enough time and space on the edge of the box to rifle a low shot off his weaker foot into the bottom corner. A real captain's contribution. Shortly after, they doubled it. A clearance following a Bafana free kick found Ayaan in acres of space. He brought it down expertly and played it across the box for Salmaan Mussa to tap in for his first goal of the season. Bafana were sinking fast.

A controversial moment arrived at the 12th minute. Shahid Visram, chasing down a long ball, appeared to catch the keeper in the stomach with his studs as they both went for it. Taifa was baying for a red card. The referee adjudged Shahid to have been playing the ball and settled for a free kick. At around this point, Ali Taqi and Javad arrived to complete the Bafana line-up and make it seven against seven. Better late than never.

Taifa went into the break 2-0 up and deservedly so, having enjoyed the lion's share of possession for obvious reasons. Bafana needed something early in the second half, and they nearly had it. Good play from them forced Mohammed Waljee into a double save, a low shot from Jamal pushed back into the danger zone before his strike on the turn was again kept out by the keeper.

Taifa had their own chance to put the game to bed at the 30th minute as Ayaan collected deep, drove at the Bafana backline, glided past Javad, and saw his shot tipped onto the foot of the post before Jawad Tajri corralled it. Moments later, Ali Rashid's low shot looked a routine save until Salmaan attempted a clever flick that forced Jawad to scramble and sort his feet out. He kept it out and then kept out the rebound too. Bafana hanging on by a thread.

Then came the shift. At the 34th minute, following a sustained spell of pressure, Bafana found a way back in through a set piece, just as they had in the playoff round the week before. Mohamed Abbas Rashid made a darting run across the front post and found just enough space to redirect Shahid's low pass into the goal. Game on.

Three minutes later, it was level. Jamal's corner was chested down by Ali Taqi, whose fierce right footed volley cannoned off the woodwork, and once again Mohamed Abbas Rashid was perfectly positioned to bundle it over the line. Back-to-back weeks, Bafana had come from two goals down to draw level. Three consecutive games involving them had now featured a 2-0 comeback. The word resilience does not quite cover it.

Into penalties for the second week running for Bafana. The first three were converted by both sides. Jamal kept Bafana's record from the spot intact by converting the 4th. Then Akil Ahmed stepped up needing to score to keep Taifa alive. He sent Jawad the wrong way, but Jawad stuck out a leg, kept it out, and sent Bafana through to the final.

What a game. What a side. Bafana spent most of the first half two men light and two goals down and still found a way to win. The Curious Observer has seen some things across this season, but this Bafana team's refusal to accept defeat belongs in a chapter of its own.

MOTM: Muhammad Kurji (Taifa Stars) & Mohamed Abbas Rashid (Bafana Bafana)

Game 2 | AFC Leopards 0-3 Super Eagles

The Leopards came into this game determined to bounce back from their disappointing defeat at the hands of the now eliminated Simba. Meanwhile, it was the Super Eagles who beat Simba to book their place in this very fixture and were looking to win back-to-back games for the first time this season. Simba were the only team to have beaten the Leopards. The only team the Super Eagles had beaten was Simba. The finest mathematical minds on the side-line had therefore already tipped the Eagles for victory in this repeat of last season's playoff final. Whether we would get a similarly cagey affair remained to be seen.

The first moment of the game came the Eagles' way. With a numbers advantage in the box, Yasir's pass was behind Hussein, who kept it alive and found Kassim on the edge of the area. His strike found the foot of the post before rolling out of play. Unlucky. Up to this point the Eagles' defenders had done a commendable job on the league's top scorer. Imran Siwji found space on several occasions only to see the shot blocked or an Eagles boot arrive from nowhere at the last moment. Someone had clearly done their homework.

The Eagles had taken control by the quarter hour, earning corner after corner, though the delivery had thus far been poor. That changed when Hussein whipped one in and found Yasir, who had done brilliantly to lose Zulfikar in the box, and he planted it home for the opening goal. Set pieces have been a genuine feature this season in a way they simply were not last, and this was another to add to the collection. 1-0 Eagles at the break in what had otherwise been a fairly even contest.

The Leopards' first real sighter arrives through Imran, who did well to carve out half a yard cutting in from the left, only for his shot from outside the box to drift just wide of the post. Shortly after, the Eagles doubled their lead, and it was ruthless. After some Leopards pressure, the ball was cleared and worked out to Muhammad-Haadi, who’s brilliant first-time pass found Yasir. He showed great composure to beat his man and finish past Shoaib at the near post. A lethal counterattack, and a second for the Eagles' young forward.

Imran nearly pulled one back two minutes later. Chaos in the box as the Eagles failed to deal with a looping ball. Imran collected it and sent a couple of defenders to the shops before working himself a shooting angle. His right footed strike went through two sets of legs and Faraaz, somehow, stuck out a hand to keep it out.

The game had become a seesaw by this point, with the Leopards committing numbers forward, and the Eagles should really have finished it. Hussein intercepted Zulfikar's pass, played a one-two with Yasir, and spotted Ali-Hassan streaking goalward in acres of space. He squared it across the box, but Ali-Hassan made poor contact and the ball cleared the crossbar. The Eagles would soon have their third though. Another counter, another clinical finish. Hussein collected deep and drove at the Leopards defence with runners either side of him, eventually playing in Muhammad-Haadi who arrowed a low shot into the bottom corner. 3-0.

The Eagles run out deserved winners and book their place in the final against Bafana Bafana. An inspired display from their front three and from Yasir in particular, who has grown into this season in a way few would have predicted after his late arrival. For the Leopards, a disappointing end to a campaign that promised so much. And for the neutral, a thoroughly enjoyable watch, nothing at all like the cagey affair these two served up in last season's final.

MOTM: Imran Siwji (AFC Leopards) & Yasir Janmohamed (Super Eagles)

Final | Super Eagles 1-1* Bafana Bafana

Few would have called this final at the business end of the league season, with fifth-placed Bafana and sixth-placed Super Eagles somehow the last two standing after both pulled off sizeable upsets to get here. Conditions were not quite equal, mind. Bafana's match finished first, granting them rest and time to plan, while the Eagles had barely a few minutes to gather themselves before kick-off. The neutrals, meanwhile, were hoping for something rather more competitive than the sides' league meeting, which Bafana thoroughly dominated on their way to a 2-0 win.

The first moment of quality arrived through Yasir, who produced a lovely nutmeg on the defender to find Kassim Khatau on the edge of the box. His low shot was tipped wide by Jawaad. Bafana responded with the better of the early chances. From an Eagles corner the loose ball dropped to Ali Taqi, who drove at an exposed back line, forced a little wider than he would have liked, and dragged his effort agonisingly wide with Faraaz beaten. Moments later he did it again, driving at the defence from another corner only for Faraaz to save this time.

The Eagles were barely hanging on. Jamal was twice found on the right by Ali Taqi, the first effort off target and the second blocked by a desperate combination of keeper and defender. Unable to string passes together, the Eagles were inviting wave after wave of pressure onto themselves.
And then, entirely against the run of play, they went ahead. Yasir brought down Faraaz's a long-pass, evaded his marker, and unleashed a powerful effort past Jawad, who may feel he could have done better, though nothing should be taken away from the touch, turn, and finish from a forward who had been outstanding all afternoon.

The timing was cruel on Bafana, arriving right on the stroke of half time. Then again, if any side has made a habit of laughing in the face of a deficit this season, it is this one. The only question was whether they had one more recovery in them.

The second half opened exactly as the first had gone, with Bafana carving out chances and failing to take them. Ali Taqi drew several defenders and threaded a ball to the back post for Jamal, who looked destined to score until Faraaz denied him. The Eagles goal was living a charmed life, and it continued moments later when Shahid slipped a delicate reverse pass through for Jamal, who rounded the keeper only for John to appear from nowhere with a vital intervention. At the other end, Jawad was matching his counterpart, springing to his right to parry a curling long-range effort from Hussein after good one-touch play between him and Yasir.

Bafana's persistence finally told, and neither the scorer nor the method will surprise anyone. The Eagles could not clear their lines from a Bafana corner. Ali Taqi knocked it down, and Jamal made no mistake this time, volleying home from inside the box. Level, and the momentum firmly with Bafana.

It was Bafana's turn to defend chaotically as the game wore on, failing to clear. The ensuing strike from Muhammad-Haadi was tipped around the post by the increasingly immovable Jawaad. The Eagles had one glorious chance to win it in the closing stages. A ball rolling harmlessly out of play was chased down by Hussein, who squared for Ali-Hassan, only for Jawaad to deny them yet again. A goal there would surely have settled it. Instead, 1-1, and penalties. A third consecutive shootout for Bafana, each one reached after clawing back a deficit in regulation. At this point it is less a pattern than a personality trait.

The first three went in for both sides. Sudden death arrived, and with it a spell of collective stage fright, both teams missing their next two, the Eagles twice failing to punish Bafana's generosity. Then Zain Bandali squeezed his effort past Faraaz, and the pressure fell squarely onto Ali-Hassan. He had to score. Jawaad saved it.

Bafana Bafana are your MFL Season 2 champions. They have done it the only way they seem to know how, down and seemingly out in each of their last three games before finding a way, every single time, to get the job done. Special mention must go to both keepers, but especially Jawaad, whose display in the final was nothing short of heroic, save after save after save when his side needed him most. For the Super Eagles, it is heartbreak in the final once again, and captain Muhammad-Haadi will be desperate to bring an end to that particular trend next season.

MOTM: Muhammad-Haadi Ibrahim (Super Eagles) & Ali Taqi Bajwa (Bafana Bafana)

Season 2 | The Final Word

And so, Season 2 draws to a close in exactly the kind of dramatic fashion you have come to expect from the MFL. It was a remarkably balanced campaign, one in which every side looked capable of beating any other on their day. That the final was contested by the two teams who finished bottom of the league phase tells you everything you need to know about how little separated this division.

There were storylines everywhere you looked. Taifa's title triumph, the Leopards' agonising final day collapse, Simba's climb from bottom to third, Bafana's improbable run to glory, and more running jokes about defenders playing up front than any of us anticipated. It has been a genuine pleasure to document it all.

The Curious Observer would like to thank every player, captain, referee, and heckler for their contribution to a wonderful season, and of course the AV team, wherever they and their camera happened to be pointing at any given moment.
That is all from me. Rest up, enjoy the break, and look after those washbags. The Curious Observer will see you next season.

The Curious Observer – Matchweek 5

The league phase finale. We knew the top two would be Taifa and the Leopards, but the order was still very much up for grabs. Below them, the bottom four could have finished anywhere between third and sixth depending on results. A feline derby in Leopards vs Simba to open proceedings, an avian derby (Eagles vs Falcons) to follow, and a title decider to close things out. The MFL does not do dull finales.

Game 1 | AFC Leopards 1–3 Simba FC

The Leopards went into the day top of the table after last week's impressive win over Taifa. Simba arrived in good spirits too, fresh off their first win of the season against the Falcons, knowing that victory here could lift them as high as third. The Leopards were at full strength, though the word full requires some qualification. Zulfikar reportedly drove all the way from Wales to make it, which is commendable in itself, only to arrive without his kit. The resulting impromptu shirt swaps on the pitch were not exactly what the coaching staff had in mind. Simba, meanwhile, finally had Abbas Lalji available for the first time this season, and were hopeful he could provide the attacking reinforcements they had been missing.

The game started brightly. Hasnain collected on the left wing, jinked past his man to the byline, and found Imran on the edge of the box, whose strike clipped the foot of the post and bounced clear. Shortly after, Haiderali whipped a deep cross into the box. There was miscommunication in the Simba defence, and Imran Siwji got a faint touch that sent the ball into the net. Fortune played its part, but the Leopards had been the better side and deserved to be ahead.

Simba almost responded immediately. From kick off, Sajjad Moti played a long ball that Zully failed to deal with, and Abbas Lalji pounced on the loose ball before Shoaib sprung off his line to smother the shot. Simba continued to build momentum. Baqer was sharp to intercept a Leopards throw in and skipped past two defenders before being brought down. The referee blew but adjudged the foul to have occurred just outside the box, and the free kick came to nothing. The Leopards then reasserted control and were it not for two fine saves from Tajri to deny Imran, the game would have been over before half time. Still 1-0 at the break.

The second half barely had time to settle before Simba drew level. Sajjad intercepted from Zully and drove into the Leopards area. Tausif slid in with a challenge and the referee pointed to the spot without hesitation. Sajjad stepped up and converted. 1-1.

Almost immediately from kick off, the Leopards had a shout of their own. Imran attempted to turn in the box and went down under Abbas Moloo's challenge. The referee took his time and ultimately waved play on. A very controversial call, and one that was still being debated long after the final whistle, though The Curious Observer is of course far too objective to offer any view on the matter.

Whatever momentum the Leopards carried from that shout was quickly extinguished. Haiderali struck low from the edge of the box, Imran got a faint touch, and the ball struck the post before rolling out. Straight from the ensuing throw in, the Leopards failed to clear, and Sajjad found himself one on one with Tausif. He shifted decisively to his right and slotted coolly into the bottom far corner. 2-1 Simba.

Shortly after, Simba broke again at speed from deep in their own half and worked it wide to Baqer, who played in Abbas Lalji. With a defender at his hip, he expertly slotted past Shoaib to make it 3-1, all three Simba goals coming on the counter.

Full time, 3-1 to Simba. The Leopards' two goal advantage at the top is gone, and they remain above Taifa on head-to-head alone. What a way to set up the finale.
MOTM: Abbas Lalji (Simba FC) & Haiderali Habib (AFC Leopards)

Game 2 | Super Eagles 0–1 Silver Falcons

The Eagles found themselves bottom of the table after both teams beneath them won last week. The Falcons sat just a point ahead of them going in. Both sides knew that losing here would mean a more difficult playoff matchup. Some unconventional thinking from the Falcons, who deployed Mohammed Khaki up front in what appeared to be a tactical tweak designed to keep the Eagles guessing.

It nearly bore fruit early. The ball was worked out wide to Ali Khaki, who played a low cross into the box for his brother, whose flick could only find Faraaz. A good early chance. The Eagles responded with a half chance of their own as a ball over the top from Hasnain was brought down well, and having spotted Amir off his line, Hussein's lobbed effort found only the side netting. 0-0 at HT in a game of few chances or any real quality so far.

The Eagles had spent much of the first half playing exclusively long ball, and it appeared that for the second half they wanted to play through the Falcon press. It produced an early opening, with the ball worked to Muhammad-Hadi in space, who eventually found Yasir wide, but Amir parried it out for a corner. From the resulting corner the Falcons broke quickly and Ammar beat his man before seeing his low effort kept out by Faraaz. Moments later, Ammar intercepted John's pass and his finish had beaten the keeper, only for Muhammad-Haadi to produce a vital sliding intervention on the line to keep it out.

The Eagles continued to press. Several throw ins deep in Falcon territory eventually resulted in a long throw to Hadi on the edge of the box, whose acrobatic volley was well saved by Amir. The keepers had been the story of the first half and continued to be so. Faraaz was called into action again as the Eagles gave the ball away playing out, Ammar's low shot tipped out by the keeper once more.

Mohammed Rashid then struck the post with the keeper beaten after a well worked Falcons move, Ammar disguising a cutback to give his teammate a sight of goal. This was a game that desperately wanted a goal.

It got one in the dying minutes. Ammar collected on the right wing, drove into a cluster of Eagles defenders, slalomed past three of them, and rifled a low shot past Faraaz. A stunning winner.

The Eagles end the league phase bottom. Back-to-back games where they never really got going, and they will be eager to rediscover some form when the playoffs come around. A fine response from the Falcons though after last week's defeat, with Ammar Siwji producing the individual moment that settled it.

MOTM: Ammar Siwji (Silver Falcons) & Muhammad-Haadi (Super Eagles)

Game 3 | Taifa Stars 2–2 Bafana Bafana

They were back. Having spent time in Tanzania on warm weather training, Muhammed Kurji and Abbas Mirza returned to the fold for the title decider, and the spectators were keen to see what they had brought back with them. Following the Leopards' earlier defeat, Taifa knew that any result would be enough to clinch the league. Bafana arrived in good spirits after their win over the Eagles and were looking to add to it.
The first real effort on target came at 13 minutes, Abbas Mirza driving down the left, scooping past the Bafana defender, and forcing Muhib into a save from a tight angle. One minute later, Bafana were ahead. Ali Taqi received in midfield, rolled his man brilliantly, drove toward goal, and although Muhammed Kurji did well to block the initial effort, the ball bounced kindly back to Taqi, who volleyed home in off the post. 1-0 Bafana.

A decent chance followed at 17 minutes as Kazim Noormohamed and Zahid combined well out wide, giving Zahid a pop at goal from just inside the box, but he dragged his shot wide. Bafana went into the break with a one goal lead and, on the balance of play, they had deserved it.

The second goal arrived at 24 minutes, though those relying on the camera for confirmation were unfortunately treated to footage of the complete opposite end of the pitch. What can be confirmed is that Jamal received on the right wing and struck a low shot toward the near post that snuck past the keeper. 2-0 Bafana. Two goals in two games for Jamal, and his side have developed a very happy habit of scoring since he arrived. Taifa was struggling, unable to cope with the physicality of the Bafana midfield.

Desperate to get back into it, captain Kurji made the bold call to push Jaffer into attack. The MFL has seen a growing trend of defenders being deployed up front this season, and one has to wonder what Pep Guardiola could learn from the tactical flexibility on display at the Masoomin Football League. Whether it was the move itself or simply the disruption it caused, Taifa suddenly looked a different side.

With 2 minutes to go, they pulled one back. A long ball was played toward Jaffer, who improvised superbly with a scorpion flick toward a box crashing Akil Ahmed, who converted from close range. 2-1. And then, straight from the Bafana kick off, it was 2-2. Akil intercepted Taqi's pass, skipped past a defender on the left, and played an incisive reverse pass to Jaffer, who had drifted into the kind of position a seasoned striker would be proud of, and converted from close range. Two goals in a minute. Taifa, from 2-0 down, were now level and, with the scores as they were, league champions.

Almost immediately, Bafana had the chance to retake the lead. Rash played a long ball over the Taifa defence and Jamal found himself one on one with the keeper, but he was unable to make clean contact on the first time shot and the keeper collected comfortably. The final whistle went moments later.

Full time, 2-2. Taifa Stars are league champions on ten points. Bafana will be bitterly disappointed to have been two goals up with time running out and not seeing it through. As for both captains, it should be noted that Kurji and Imran Siwji are both well-known Arsenal supporters. And in true Arsenal fashion, they both found a way to make the final day far more dramatic than it needed to be, only for the title to still end up in the right hands. Congratulations to Taifa Stars. The question now is whether they can go one further and do the double.

MOTM: Akil Ahmed (Taifa Stars) & Ali Taqi Bajwa (Bafana Bafana)


Matchweek 5 | Final Thoughts

And so the league phase comes to a close. Taifa Stars are champions with ten points, their dramatic late comeback in the final game proving the difference. The AFC Leopards finish second on nine points. Simba's win lifts them to third on eight points, a remarkable turnaround for a side that was bottom of the table as recently as matchweek three. The Silver Falcons climb to fourth following their win over the Eagles, while Bafana slip to fifth despite having been in touching distance of third for much of the day. The Eagles finish sixth, though the performances across the season suggest the table flatters nobody in that regard.

In the golden boot race, Imran Siwji finishes the league phase as top scorer on six goals. Sajjad Moti is second on five, with Akil Ahmed on three. A cluster of players sit on two apiece further down.

As for the playoffs, Taifa and the Leopards receive byes as reward for their league finishes. The matchups are Simba against the Eagles, and the Falcons against Bafana. Both ties are wide open, and either of the four sides involved would fancy their chances. The Curious Observer will be watching very closely.

The Curious Observer – 4th May 2026

Three fixtures on the slate this week, headlined by a genuine top of the table clash between the league’s top two. We will get into the detail shortly, but first, a welcome return. Aqeel Moloo was back on the whistle this weekend after a short break, and judging by how quickly he settled back in, it seems he simply couldn’t stay away. Goals, howlers, big absences, and a result that will shake up the table. All to come.

Game 1 | Super Eagles 0–2 Bafana Bafana

The Eagles came into this one in good spirits after last week’s late win over Simba. Yasir was back in the fold, and after his impressive cameo against Taifa, spectators were eager to see more. The MFL spies also report that defender Hasnain was feeling under the weather but turned up regardless. Whatever else can be said about this Eagles side, nobody can question the commitment.

Bafana sat just a point behind the Eagles going in and were boosted by the long awaited return of Jamal for his first appearance of the season. Having yet to find the net at all this campaign, his return felt timely. Word reached the Eagles camp that Bafana were planning an all-out high press for this one, in search of that elusive opening goal.

The first five minutes were scrappy before the first moment of real quality arrived. A long raking goal kick was brought down excellently by Yasir, who shifted it past his man and saw his powerful effort tipped wide by Muhib. The Eagles continued to press forward as captain Mohamed Haadi pounced on a loose ball and threaded Yasir through again, only for Muhib to be equal to it once more, parrying wide. Best chance of the game so far. The pattern was clear. The Eagles were defending deep with numbers and looking to break quickly, and that is exactly how their next chance
came. Faraaz dinked a clever ball past the Bafana press, which was eventually worked wide to Mohamed Haadi, whose strike from a tight angle clipped the outside of the post and went out. Half time arrived with Bafana having had some speculative efforts from distance, but nothing to trouble Faraaz.

Having been unusually quiet so far this season, Ali Taqi announced himself shortly after the restart. A quick one-two with Rash found Jamal out wide, who fed Nemo, who laid it back to Taqi. With defenders rushing him from both sides expecting a shot, he took a perfect touch into space and cannoned a finish into the top corner from just outside the box. Faraaz had no chance.

The second goal followed soon after. The Eagles, mid substitution and momentarily disorganised, were caught out as the ball was played long to Taqi, who controlled it, drew three defenders, and slipped Jamal through on the left with the goal at his mercy. He took it in his stride and dispatched a low, Henry-esque finish past Faraaz. Back in the country, and back amongst the goals. The Eagles were stunned and would never really recover. Bafana had a few more chances well dealt with by Faraaz, but the game ended 2-0.

This was the week Shahid Visram’s draft strategy truly paid off. With Jamal back, Shahid & Taqi were able to control the middle of the pitch and picked out Jamal’s runs at will. And for the Eagles, having played well last week and indeed for much of the first half here too, this is now the third time this season they have walked away from a game feeling they deserved more.

MOTM: Ali Taqi (Bafana Bafana) & Mohamed Haadi (Super Eagles)

Game 2 | Simba FC 2–0 Silver Falcons
Both sides came into this one having lost the week before and feeling they deserved better. Simba remained winless and rooted to the bottom, but with only three points separating the bottom four, a win could lift them as high as third. For the Falcons, a win could take them to second. The Falcons had a full squad to choose from, while Simba were still waiting for Abbas Lalji to make his first appearance of the season.

It was a scrappy start. Six minutes in, Ammar Siwji picked the ball up at the halfway line and glided past two Simba players before squaring to Abbasali, whose effort was blocked brilliantly by Mohammedali Moti. The loose ball led to a scramble, with Abbasali and Tajri both throwing themselves at it, the keeper coming out on top. A minute later, Kazim Datoo whipped in a wicked cross that Ali Khaki narrowly failed to
connect with. Any touch there and it’s in. A bright start from the Falcons.

Ten minutes in, after another scramble, the ball fell to Ammar in the box with just the keeper to beat. Tajri guessed right, parried the initial effort, then got back up to smother the rebound as well. Still 0-0, but things were going well for the Falcons.

Then came what is surely the most confusing and hilarious moment of the season so far. A stray clearance found its way to Amir in the Falcons goal. With no pressure on him whatsoever, he proceeded to come well off his line, urging his team forward. Pep Guardiola has had plenty of influence on modern goalkeeping, but even Manuel Neuer at his most adventurous would not have ventured as far as Amir did here. At
one stage there were two Falcons players behind him. A loose touch let Sajjad Moti in, and with the goal completely unguarded, he simply struck it from just inside the Falcons half. Kazim Datoo’s cries of why could be heard throughout the ground, and they are likely still echoing now. 1-0 Simba, very much against the run of play, at the break.

With the next goal crucial, the second half began cagily. Around ten minutes in, Sajjad sprung Simba into a rapid counter from deep, finding Baqir with Owais in support and only one Falcons defender covering the pass. Baqir bore down on goal, opened his body up, and curled toward the far corner, but Amir got a touch on it, the ball bouncing agonisingly wide for a corner. Perhaps some small redemption for his earlier adventure.

From that corner came the second goal. Abbasali tried to intercept a pass toward the edge of the box, but his touch let him down. Sajjad took it in his stride, got the ball out from under his feet, and struck a low, powerful effort past a helpless Amir. Sajjad now has three quarters of Simba’s goals this season. A real captain’s contribution.

Shortly after, Ammar danced between two players and squared to Abbasali, whose low cross was parried straight back to him, but the Simba defence converged in numbers to smother the effort and protect the two goal lead. That was that. Full time, 2-0 Simba, who claim their first win of the season.

Having started the season with four points from their opening two games, the Falcons have now lost their last two on the bounce. On the balance of play they were probably the better side, but they leave with nothing.

MOTM: Ammar Siwji (Silver Falcons) & Mohammedali Moti (Simba FC)

Game 3 | AFC Leopards 3–1 Taifa Stars

The late kick off saw the league’s top two go head-to-head, both tipped before the season as title favourites. The Leopards were boosted by the return of Haiderali for the first time this campaign and looked at full strength. Taifa, by contrast, were missing both captain Muhammad Kurji and star striker Abbas Mirza, with footage circulating of the pair undertaking warm weather training in Tanzania. If they were good before, heaven help the rest of the league once they return with that experience behind them.

Taifa arrived looking to maintain their unbeaten record, while the Leopards knew a win would take top spot. It took thirteen minutes for the first real chance. A Leopards clearance was brought down beautifully by Imran, who drew two defenders before slotting in Shabber. He connected with venom, the strike bound for the top corner, only for Mohammed Waljee to deny him at his near post. His good work was undone soon after, as Imran Siwji was given far too much space on the edge of the box and placed a shot into the bottom corner off the post. The keeper got a hand to it but couldn’t keep it out. 1-0 Leopards. Moments later, another Leopards clearance was expertly brought down, this time by Husnain, but his half volley was also kept out. That was the half.

The second half was a different story entirely. Twenty-three minutes in, Husnain drove at the Taifa defence from the left, skipped past his man, and finished deftly into the bottom corner with the outside of his foot. 2-0. Two minutes later, Husnain produced a moment of real generosity, flicking a bouncing ball over Jaffer and finding himself clean through on goal, only to square it unselfishly to Imran, whose effort was heroically blocked on the line by Miqdad. The Stars survived, for now.

Their reprieve didnt last. Soon after, the Leopards made it three through pure route one football. Shoaib launched long from a goal kick, the Taifa backline caught out of position, and Husnain was left alone to bring it down before playing in Imran, who finished with aplomb. 3-0. Taifa did pull one back with minutes remaining, the Leopards failing to deal with a corner and Akil pouncing on the loose ball at the far post to make it 3-1. For a
moment there was hope. But there wasn’t enough time left for anything more, and the referee soon brought it to a close.
The Leopards take top spot off Taifa, who never really got going. This was a vintage Husnain performance, and if he keeps this up, the Leopards will be dreaming of a repeat.

MOTM: Husnain Ali (AFC Leopards) & Akil Ahmed (Taifa Stars)

Matchweek 4 | Final Thoughts

A matchweek that had everything. Great goals, howlers, and plenty in between. The table looks very different going into the final round of the league phase. The Leopards now sit top on goal difference, with Taifa just behind in second. Bafana’s win sees them climb to third on five points, while Simba’s victory lifts them to fourth.

The Falcons, beaten by Simba, slip from third to fifth, and with both Bafana and Simba picking up wins, the Eagles drop to the bottom of the table.
Outside the top two, only two points separate third from sixth, and with one round of the league phase remaining, there is still plenty to play for. Matchweek 5 takes place on the 15th of June and brings the league phase to a close. The early kick off sees the Leopards take on Simba, followed by a bottom of the table clash between the Eagles and the Falcons. The late kick off is Taifa against Bafana Bafana. The Curious Observer will be watching.

The Curious Observer – 4th May 2026

A word before we begin. The MFL AV team, having taken note of last week's extended footage of Muhammad Tajri and his son, have taken the time to recalibrate the camera so that more of the pitch is visible. The Curious Observer welcomes this development. We will reserve further judgement until we see the footage.

On the refereeing front, duties this week were shared. Imran Siwji took charge of the opener before handing the whistle to one of last season's top scorers and Spirit of the Game winner, Ali Gulamhussain, for the remaining two fixtures. As ever, eyebrows were raised about Imran's objectivity given he was overseeing the league's top two. As ever, the scales found their own balance. His brother Ammar was lining up for the Falcons. The MFL's ability to produce a conflicted referee for every occasion is, at this point, a feature rather than a bug. If you consider yourself objective and fancy a turn with the whistle, the organisers would apparently love to hear from you.

Game 1 | Taifa Stars 2–1 Silver Falcons

The league leaders against the league's most impressive newcomers. Both sides came in with full squads and something to prove.
They did not have to wait long. Jaffer, who has been quietly excellent this season, dinked a raking ball over the top that Ayaan brought down beautifully with defenders either side of him and Miqdad lurking as a runner. Seeing both defenders momentarily pulled toward the runner, Ayaan spotted his window, shifted right, and fired low through the defenders' legs into the bottom corner. Amir had no chance. A stunning opener.

The Falcons, perhaps looking to bypass Taifa's press, turned to the long ball. Kurji and Jaffer were having none of it, clearing everything that came their way. It soon got worse for the Falcons as Abbas Mirza blocked a pass from Abbasali, leaving himself one on one with a defender. He sent him to the shops before casually slotting into the top corner with his left foot. Casual is the word. Back to business for the league's returning MVP.

The Falcons' frontman Ammar Siwji had, up to this point, been cutting an isolated figure, scrapping for scraps against a well-organised Taifa backline. But he began dropping deeper to receive and carry, and it started to bear fruit. He drove past four Taifa defenders in one memorable run before his cutback was cleared by the ever-dependable Jaffer. A warning sign the Stars perhaps chose not to heed.

The second half opened with Ayaan finding himself deep before unleashing a fierce effort that required a full stretch save from Amir to keep out. Then came the controversy. Ammar drove into the area again before being dispossessed by Muhammed Kurji, who went to ground in the process. The Falcons were adamant. A penalty. The referee waved play on. Kurji, it must be noted, has now gone to ground in the box in back-to-back weeks to dispossess an attacker.

The Curious Observer is not one to point fingers, but some voices in the post-match were calling for intervention. We understand the MFL disciplinary committee is looking into the matter. We also understand there is no MFL disciplinary committee and that if there was, Muhammed Kurji would be on it anyways.

In truth the second half was a quiet one, not helped by the camera spending much of it focused on Amir standing in his goal rather than the action at the other end. Recalibration in progress it would seem.

In the dying moments, Ammar Siwji collected from a quickly taken free kick, took it past Jaffer, and rolled it around Mohammed Waljee to tap in and make it 2-1. A deserved consolation for a Falcons side that grew into the game but could never reliably crack Taifa's low block. The three chances the game produced were all taken. That, at least, was something.

Taifa will be delighted with the first half. Captain Kurji, however, may want to have a quiet word with his troops about their second half performances. Two weeks running now. The pattern is there.

MOTM: Abbas Mirza (Taifa Stars) & Ammar Siwji (Silver Falcons)

Game 2 | AFC Leopards 2–0 Bafana Bafana

Imran Siwji swapped the whistle for his boots as the Leopards looked to build on their opening day win. Bafana, meanwhile, were still searching for their first goal and win of the season and were without Jamal once again. The Leopards were also missing Haiderali and Javad from their ranks.
It did not take long. Muhib, so impressive across the first two weeks, attempted to play out from the back and was immediately pressed by the Leopards captain, who blocked the pass cleanly into the goal. A harsh way to concede but an avoidable one. 1-0 Leopards, and barely any time had passed.

Right before the break, Ali Taqi held off a Leopards defender superbly before finding Nemo on the edge of the box. His shot drifted just wide. That was your first half.

The second came to life quickly. Husnain, lively on the left, drilled in a low cross that Imran met at close range, only for Muhib to smother it well. Shortly after, Shoaib was called into action at the other end, doing well to deal with a Shahid Visram header from a long throw. The counter that followed was a thing of beauty. A one-two between Imran and Husnain, the return pass looking like a lost cause. Imran, refusing to give up on it, arrived to head home from close range. 2-0.

Husnain then met a knockdown with a well-controlled volley, only for Muhib to tip it wide. The pattern continued in that vein, with Muhib making several further saves in what was ultimately Bafana's flattest performance of the season so far. The Leopards, for their part, were rarely troubled.

A special mention for Zulfikar, who had a fine game and repeatedly took on the unenviable task of defending Shahid Visram. Despite the considerable size difference, he more than held his own. In his own words post-match, Zully is a man who loves bodying up the “wham” players.

MOTM: Imran Siwji (AFC Leopards) & Salman Alibhai (Bafana Bafana)

Game 3 | Super Eagles 3–1 Simba FC

The bottom of the table clash. Two sides who had both felt hard done by across the opening two weeks, both still searching for a first win. Something had to give.The Eagles were without last week's MOTM Yasir, while Simba were missing Abbas Lalji and Kazim Dhanji. Neither side, it seemed, was minded to be cautious about it.

Muhammad Haadi opened proceedings with a fierce effort from distance that required a full stretch save from Muhammad Tajri. Sajjad Moti then pounced on a loose Eagles pass at the back but rattled the foot of the post before the chance was cleared. Simba and woodwork… an increasingly familiar relationship.

Tajri was soon called into action again. After intercepting a Simba clearance, Kassim Khatau slid in Hussein whose low effort was brilliantly saved, before Tajri somehow also smothered Kassim's rebound. He looked certain to score. Tajri said no. Twice.

The Eagles defence was next to be tested. Sajjad drove at them down the left and scooped past Hasnain Khimji, only for Faraaz to smother the shot. Owais looked certain to tap in the rebound before Hussein produced a last-ditch block from nowhere. Perhaps all those shifts at fullback last season were not wasted after all.

Then came the decisive moment. Ali-Hassan was played in behind, rounded Shabbir, and was brought down. Penalty. The crowd immediately looked to Hussein Rajabali, who had long maintained he would not hesitate to step up again after last week. The ultras were baying, whether for a goal, a miss, or simply chaos was unclear. They would not get their wish. Captain Muhammad Haadi took the ball, and dispatched it with minimum fuss. 1-0 Eagles at the break.

If the first half was end to end, the opening exchanges of the second were the opposite. The Eagles sat a little deeper and Simba struggled to break them down. They managed it eventually, and in emphatic fashion. Sajjad received on the left, powered through three defenders, and squeezed a low shot past Faraaz. 1-1, and game on.

It would not stay level for long. With five minutes remaining, a poor Simba clearance fell to Gulam Sumar who fed Ali-Hassan on the edge of the box. His scuffed shot trickled toward goal where Hussein, camped in front of the keeper, improvised with a deft backheel that crept in at the far post.
From the kick off, Simba gave the ball straight back. Hussein intercepted, drove forward, and fired a low shot from distance that flew into the bottom corner. Three goals for the Eagles in one game, after none in two. Like buses, you wait ages and then three arrive at once.

A game that fully delivered. Hussein Rajabali, the villain of last week's dying moments, redeemed himself this time around.

MOTM: Mohammedali Moti (Simba FC) & Hussein Rajabali (Super Eagles)

Matchweek 3 | Final Thoughts

Three games in and the table is beginning to take shape. Taifa Stars sit top with a perfect nine points from nine, the only side in the league yet to drop a point. The Leopards, back to winning ways, move up to second on six points. The Silver Falcons hold third on four points, while the Eagles' first win of the season lifts them to fourth. Bafana and Simba sit fifth and sixth respectively, separated only by goal difference.

In the goalscoring charts, Imran Siwji leads the way with three goals. Hussein Rajabali, Abbas Mirza, and Ayaan Bhanji are all on two apiece in joint second. Both lists will have more to say in the weeks ahead.

Next week the Super Eagles face Bafana Bafana in the early kick-off, with both sides in need of a result for very different reasons. Simba take on the Silver Falcons in what should be an entertaining fixture. And the standout game of the week sees the AFC Leopards host the Taifa Stars.

Second against first, three points separating them, and everything still to play for. The Curious Observer will be watching.

The Curious Observer – 27th April 2026

Before a ball had been kicked, the elephant in the room demanded addressing. Your referee for the day would be last season’s Bafana captain Aqeel Moloo. Reffing your former team's fixture would ordinarily be a clear conflict of interest - but the scales found their own balance. Aqeel's brother Abbas was lining up for Simba on the other side. The Curious Observer notes this and moves swiftly on.

Game 1 | Simba FC 0–0 Bafana Bafana

Simba were boosted by the return of the talented Baqer Somani, back after missing MW1 through illness. Bafana welcomed back Rash from his touchline cameo, though they remained without one of last season's top scorers in Jamal. And then there was Ali Taqi, who arrived fashionably late, approximately five minutes into proceedings. Bafana were relieved. Simba were less so. Keen readers will recall Ali Taqi wore a Simba shirt in Season 1, and one wonders whether facing his old teammates meant the handbrake was ever so slightly on.

The first real moment of quality came from Sajjad, who picked the ball up deep, skipped past two, and whipped a fierce effort toward the far post. With Muhib beaten, it curled agonisingly wide. Simba's two young talismans were combining beautifully and had the locals purring. Baqer, collecting on the touchline, waited for Ali Taqi to press before pushing the ball through his legs à la Neymar, playing Sajjad in on the left. He cut inside onto his right but fired straight at Muhib, who was having a noticeably quieter afternoon than last week. The hecklers were nowhere to be seen. Whether the league intervened or Muhib simply let his saves do the talking, The Curious Observer cannot say. Bafana's best moment came from a corner, the ball dropping to Ali Taqi on the edge who shifted past one and saw his low shot brilliantly saved by Tajri. Goalless at half time.

The second half was more of the same. Sajjad skipped past two again, sent Shahid Visram to the shops, and was denied again by Muhib. The resulting corner was dinked beautifully by Owais, who looks every bit as dangerous outfield as he did in goal, toward the back post where Abbas Moloo met it full on, heading just wide with Muhib rooted. It has to be said that on several occasions, Sajjad Moti has made Bafana defenders look as though they were playing twister.

Ali Taqi, now pushing further forward, worked his way around his man and was later played through one on one with Doc, only to be denied both times by an excellent Tajri. Owais then forced Muhib into a fine stop of his own, tipping a rasping effort wide. With the game seemingly petering out, Muhib palmed a pea roller from Baqer onto his own post. The rebound fell to Sajjad. He had to score. Muhib, somehow, got in the way.

Full time 0-0. A game that deserved a goal, but the two keepers had other ideas.
MOTM: Shabbir Mohammed (Simba FC) & Muhib Musse (Bafana Bafana)
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Game 2 | Super Eagles 0–1 Taifa Stars

The Eagles came into this one with a point to prove after last week's spirited but ultimately fruitless performance against the Leopards. They were boosted by the debut of the talented Yasir Janmohamed, originally not expected to be available for another few weeks. The Stars, meanwhile, were without Salman Mussa.

The Eagles' gameplan was immediately apparent. A furious high press from the off, forcing rushed clearances and disrupting Taifa's rhythm. Observers on the sideline, however, noted that it was a tempo that couldn't last. They were not wrong. Following one such press, several Eagles players found themselves out of position for the ensuing clearance. Ali Rashid latched onto the second ball and slipped a perfectly weighted pass in behind the Eagles defence. Akil Ahmed, ghosting in on captain Muhammad-Hadi's blindside, arrived at exactly the right moment and dispatched a brilliant first-time sliding finish past a helpless Faraaz. 1-0 Taifa. Clinical.

The first half had been, in truth, a tight and even affair with little in the way of clear chances before that moment. The Eagles began showing glimpses of their attacking intent, with Hussein Rajabali dropping into midfield to link play, but Taifa's defence were organised and mopped up. Half time arrived with little else to report.

The second half told a similar story initially. Taifa made sure Hussein wouldn't link up so freely this time, closing him down quickly from all directions whenever the ball came to him. By his own admission post-match, he barely had room to breathe for long stretches. As a result, the Eagles struggled to fashion anything meaningful for a spell of around ten minutes. The Stars' attacking threats, however, were equally subdued, with both Abbas Mirza and Ayaan Bhanji kept unusually quiet by an organised Eagles backline.

As the game stretched, Stars captain Muhammad Kurji, seemingly unsatisfied with a one goal cushion, urged his side to push on. It was an instruction that nearly backfired spectacularly. With John having pushed forward, Ali Rashid broke onto a clearance and bore down on goal, only to fire straight at Faraaz who parried comfortably. On the other end, after winning the ball back well, Hasnain Khimji found Hussein deep. He turned to find acres of space ahead of him. A slick one-two with Kassim Khatau opened the door, and Hussein was through on goal from point blank range. Kurji, tracking back, threw himself into a sliding tackle to deny him. The referee, clearly having done his homework, pointed straight to the spot. Sliding tackles are not permitted. What followed was a lengthy and spirited debate involving what appeared to be most of both squads, though in the end the referee held firm.

Hussein Rajabali stepped up. Keeper Mohamed Waljee, never one to miss a moment, kissed the ground theatrically before taking his position. Having barely had a touch in the second half, Hussein had the chance to get himself and the Eagles off the mark for Season 2 with the last kick of the game. Unfortunately for him, the post had other ideas as his effort struck the woodwork and went out, and with it, the Eagles' hopes. Another tight game, another empty-handed evening.

Hadi's men will feel aggrieved across both weeks. The performances have been there. The rewards have not.

MOTM: Yasir Janmohamed (Super Eagles) & Akil Ahmed (Taifa Stars)
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Game 3 | AFC Leopards 0–2 Silver Falcons

The main pre-match talking point was the return of Leopards striker Husnain, back and available after missing the opening fixture. The stage was set.
What followed in the first fifteen minutes was, to put it charitably, an acquired taste. The game's most notable early moment was an indirect free kick awarded against Amir Hemraj for picking up a back pass. That tells you most of what you need to know about the first half's entertainment value. The Leopards could not capitalise on it.

There was, however, one moment of genuine controversy. Fresh from a game in which a penalty had been awarded for a sliding challenge in the box, the Leopards now found themselves on the other end of a similar debate. A Falcon defender appeared to slide to prevent Imran Siwji from cutting inside, and the only real question was whether it had happened inside or outside the area. The referee opted for a free kick, which came to nothing. The Curious Observer understands that VAR is not currently in the MFL budget, though given the standard of decision making currently on display at Stockley Park, perhaps the Premier League should consider asking Aqeel Moloo for some tips.

On the subject of cameras, the matchday footage spent a considerable portion of the first half on Muhammad Tajri and his son doing one-twos on the sideline rather than the actual game. Whether Tajri orchestrated this to get the lad noticed by the MFL talent identification team is not for The Curious Observer to say. We observe. We report. We move on.
Neither keeper was genuinely troubled and the half ended 0-0.

The second half, however, wasted no time. Within the first ten seconds Sajjad Khaki was slipped in on the right wing and his low right footed effort was heading in before a fine low save from Shoaib Walji kept it out. Normal service, it seemed, would resume. It did not. From the resulting corner, Falcon captain Abbasali met the ball full on the volley, and it flew into the bottom corner with Shoaib rooted. A brilliant opener.
What followed next could only be described as a misery compiler. The Leopards lost the ball straight from kick off and were instantly punished. Ammar Siwji twisted and turned just outside the area before sliding in a lovely through ball for Sajjad Khaki, who finished clinically from close range. Two goals in thirty seconds. From nothing, to over.

After such a breathless opening to the half, both sides reverted to the careful, measured football that had defined the first. The game ended 2-0 to the Silver Falcons, who announced themselves to the league in no uncertain terms.

MOTM: Abbasali Hemraj (Silver Falcons) & Imran Siwji (AFC Leopards)
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Matchweek 2 | Final Thoughts

If Matchweek 1 raised eyebrows, Matchweek 2 has made a statement. Three games, three clean sheets, and a grand total of three goals across the entire evening. Last season it was the attackers who set the tone. This season, it is the defences that are calling the shots.

At the top, Taifa Stars remain the league's only side with maximum points, two wins from two cementing their place at the summit. Hot on their heels are the Silver Falcons, who with four points from their opening two games have made clear that this is no vanity project. The Leopards sit third, with Bafana and Simba occupying the middle of the table on the back of back-to-back draws, both of which could easily have gone either way.
And then there are the Super Eagles. Rooted to the bottom. No points. No goals, thanks to Hussein Rajabali’s clearance from the spot off the post in the dying moments. Hadi's side find themselves staring up at the rest of the division. The performances, it must be said, have not deserved that fate. Football, as ever, is a cruel sport.

Next week serves up a mouth-watering set of fixtures. Taifa Stars face the Silver Falcons in what is already a top of the table clash. The AFC Leopards take on Bafana Bafana, and in what promises to be a genuine six pointer, the Super Eagles face Simba FC. The Curious Observer will be watching closely.

The Curious Observer – 20th April 2026

The Masoomin Football League is back. Season 2 has arrived and The Curious Observer is once again on hand to document the drama, the brilliance, and the occasional chaos that only the MFL can produce.

Before we get into it, a word on the new landscape. The organisers, clearly concerned about competitive balance after last season's AFC Leopards monopoly on silverware, have effectively nerfed the league's two most dangerous operators. Sajjad Moti, Super Eagles talisman, and Abbasali Hemraj, the Leopards' own, have been handed the keys to Simba FC and the brand-new Silver Falcons respectively. Whether this was tactical masterstroke from the MFL committee or a quiet act of self-preservation, we may never know. Either way, Season 2 has a very different look.

Speaking of the Falcons, Abbasali has wasted no time making the team his own. Quite literally. Three Hemrajs. Three Khakis. The remaining spots presumably open to anyone willing to take the Hemraj surname. Whether this approach breeds unrivalled team chemistry remains to be seen.
Over at Taifa Stars, Captain Muhammad Kurji has reunited with his childhood friend Abbas Mirza. Last season's top scorer and league MVP. No pressure on the reunion, lads. And in goal for the Stars, the ever-popular Mulla Anu, whose son Abbas Waljee lines up for Simba, giving us our third father-son subplot to track across the season. The MFL: where family ties are everywhere and nobody is getting a night off from each other.


Game 1 | AFC Leopards 2 - 0 Super Eagles

The glamour fixture. Last season's top two. Separated by just one goal across two meetings, including the playoff final. The anticipation was real.
Leopards were without star striker Husnain, Eagles missing the talented young Yasir. Both sides, understandably, started cautiously. The tension was palpable. Then came the moment that got everyone talking.

Captain Imran Siwji was brought down somewhere around the halfway line. Referee Riz Ibrahim blew the whistle - and then, seemingly reconsidering his entire career, waved play on. Siwji, unbothered, picked himself up, skipped past three defenders, and delicately dinked the ball over Eagles keeper Faraaz Fazel. Cool as you like. The whistle controversy will no doubt be the subject of a tribunal that never happens, but credit where it's due - Siwji finished like a man who knew exactly what he was doing.

Looking to spart some life into the game, captain Muhammad-Hadi dispossessed a Leopards defender and unleashed a fierce effort that Shoaib Walji did well to tip wide. That, in truth, was the half. Tight, scrappy, neither side giving an inch.

The second half belonged to the Eagles in every way except the scoreline. Hussein Rajabali, who, was reportedly hoping to avoid defending duties this season, made his intentions very clear from kick-off, intercepting Siwji's pass, rounding him, and sending a low shot goalward that Shoaib kept out. What followed was a Shoaib Walji masterclass. Two full-stretch stops from long range. Back-to-back denials. The man was a wall. Ali-Hassan Bharwani was twice found at the back post but couldn't convert, corners came and went, and the Eagles pressed and pressed to no avail.

Then, against the run of play, Miqdad Merali ghosted past a stretched Eagles backline and fed Tausif Bhanji, who snuck a composed finish under Faraaz to make it 2-0. And that was that.The Leopards took their chances. The Eagles, on another night, take a point at least. But this is football and the table doesn't lie. Defending champions open with a win.

MVPs: Zulfikar Ismail (AFC Leopards) & Hussein Rajabali (Super Eagles)

Game 2 | Taifa Stars 2 - 1 Simba FC

Many had Taifa Stars pencilled in as early season favourites. By the end of Game 2, you could see why, and yet Simba gave them more than enough to think about. It didn't take long for the league's returning MVP to announce himself. Abbas Mirza picked up the ball from distance and let fly. The shot took a deflection on its way past a helpless Muhammad Tajri in goal. Back to business, then. Mirza doesn't do slow starts. The Stars’ talisman was heard after the game claiming that it was in fact the knuckle ball that did Tajri and not the deflection!

Taifa was slick throughout and were it not for some genuinely impressive keeping from Tajri, the margin could have been far greater. But just when Simba needed steadying, they were undone by a moment of individual brilliance from last season's Young Player of the Year, Ayaan Bhanji. Picking the ball up from well inside his own half, the youngster carried the ball forward gracefully and arrowed a low shot in off the foot of the post from a wide angle. Barely sixteen and already making it look effortless.

Simba, to their great credit, hit back almost immediately. Sajjad Moti found himself one-on-one with Stars defender Mohammad-Jaffer, skipped past him, and laid it off perfectly for Owais Bharwani - yes, last season's Simba goalkeeper, now deployed considerably further forward, to tap in at the back post. Three goals in the first half. Breathless stuff.

The second half was a different kind of spectacle. Taifa, content with their lead, retreated into patient possession football, recycling the ball and frustrating Simba into submission. Tajri made further saves to keep his team in it, but the game ended 2-1. Not pretty in the second half, but effective.The Lions will feel they left something out there. The Stars will be pleased with the win while knowing they'll need more of the first half and less of the second.

MVPs: Ayaan Bhanji (Taifa Stars) & Muhammad Tajri (Simba FC)

Game 3 | Bafana Bafana 0 - 0 Silver Falcons

The league's most physically imposing lineup meets the league's newest team. Something had to give. As it turned out… nothing did.
Bafana Bafana, boasting both Shahid Visram and Ali Taqi Bajwa, arrived with considerable presence. The Silver Falcons, unbothered, organised themselves and refused to be bullied. In fact, it was the Falcons who came closest, hitting the post on a couple of occasions and giving new keeper Muhib Musse a minor scare. Muhib took no end of stick from the crowd throughout but handled it well. A keeper's baptism of fire and he passed.

Also, an out of action ‘Rash’ was spotted patrolling the Bafana touchline with the intensity of a man who had watched every Mikel Arteta press conference back-to-back – though he’ll be hoping for more silverware than the Spaniard. Word around town is his performance has already earned him a call-up to The Coach's Table.

Meanwhile, in the Falcons' goal, Amir was conducting proceedings in his own unique fashion. Defenders were taking the goal kicks. Was this a sophisticated tactical setup designed to build from the back with fresh legs? Or had Amir simply had a particularly punishing leg day and wasn't letting on?

Speaking of gym-lads, what we can report, separately, is that Ali Taqi of Bafana is currently fixing Amir's Lexus. We note this purely as a matter of public record. Whether the 0-0 result and the automotive arrangement are in any way connected is not for The Curious Observer to say. We merely observe.

The game ended goalless. Competitive, intense, and honest. Both teams can take plenty from it.

MVPs: Amir Hemraj (Silver Falcons) & Salmaan Alibhai (Bafana Bafana)

A strong opening night for Season 2. The champions remain on top, the early favourites have their first win, and the new boys showed they belong.
Next week, the MFL serves up another mouthwatering slate: Simba FC take on Bafana Bafana, the Super Eagles look to bounce back against Taifa Stars, and the AFC Leopards welcome the Silver Falcons. The Curious Observer will be watching.

The Curious Observer – 9th February 2026

The Curious Observer braved arctic conditions on Monday evening as the MFL regular season reached its crescendo. Five teams. Four play-off spots. Three matches. One title to be decided. The stage was set, the thermals were on, and reputations were on the line.
Goal difference separated the summit. At the foot of the table, survival instincts kicked in.

With Bafana rooted to the bottom and Taifa eyeing third place security, the equation was simple. Win and you’re in control of your destiny.
From the first whistle, Taifa set a ruthless tempo. The attacking trident of Baqirali, Ammar and Jamal resumed normal service, stitching together intricate link-up play that sliced through the lines. One-touch exchanges. Clever third-man runs. The sort of triangles that would make Pep reach for a tactics board.

Zishan in the Bafana goal was immediately called into overtime. Low saves. Strong hands. A full-stretch fingertip effort that briefly defied gravity. But pressure tells.

Ammar Siwji opened the scoring, ghosting into space after a slick interchange and finishing with trademark composure. Jamal soon followed, arriving late into the box to rifle home after Baqirali’s threaded assist. The chemistry was telepathic.

Baqirali then took centre stage. One from close range after relentless pressing forced the turnover. Another after a sweeping move that began deep in their own half. Four goals. Statement made.

To Bafana’s credit, they refused to fold. Shahid ‘Vieira’ Visram surged forward with defiance and grabbed a deserved consolation — a leader dragging his side with him even when the tide was against them.
Final score: 4–1. Taifa Stars secure third place and playoff football.

MVPs: Shahid Visram (Bafana Bafana) & Ammar Siwji (Taifa Stars)

Top of the table. Level on points. The cold air crackled with tension.
The permutations were clear. The Leopards needed a draw or better to secure the crown. The Eagles required victory. Nothing less.
What followed was less a football match and more a chess match played at full speed. Two defensive units in peak condition. Every tackle cheered. Every interception roared.

The referee earned his match fee early. Arms waved in Bruno-esque fashion, appeals echoing into the night. The official, unmoved - He held firm.
Chances were scarce. Space even scarcer. The father-and-son goalkeeping duel added poetic symmetry — Tajri Junior guarding one net, Tajri Senior the other. Both immaculate. Both unbreached. The Golden Glove race remains deliciously poised.
When the final whistle pierced the frostbitten air, it read 0–0.

And that was enough.
AFC Leopards are your MFL League Champions — edging it on goal difference after a season of composure, firepower and belief.

MVPs: Jawad Tajri (AFC Leopards) & Ayaan Bhanji (Super Eagles)

And so, under the floodlights, it came down to this.
Win and Bafana leapfrog into the playoffs. Draw and Simba sneak through. The tension was suffocating.

What unfolded was a basketball game disguised as football. Blow for blow. Transition after transition. No time to breathe.
Ali Gulamhussein did what Ali Gulamhussein does. A predatory finish to open the scoring and move to four for the season. Abbas Mirza’s Golden Boot lead suddenly under threat.

Mo Bandali responded for Bafana, scrapping and battling to restore parity. But from unlikely quarters came the reply — Abbas Waljee charging forward from defence like a man possessed to hammer home for 2–1. Limbs everywhere.

Ali Taqi then produced a lung-bursting run that felt powered by pure will. He weaved. He surged. He finished. 3–1 Simba.
Bandali again. 3–2. Game on.

And then… magic.

Fresh off last week’s MVP performance, Akil Ahmed delivered a reminder of his class. Two stunning strikes. One clinical, one outrageous. The contest settled in style.

Final score: 5–2.
Simba FC are heading to the playoffs.

MVPs: Akil Ahmed (Simba FC) & Mo Bandali (Bafana Bafana)

Congratulations to AFC Leopards — MFL League Champions.
Next week the knockout drama begins. Leopards vs Simba. Taifa Stars vs Super Eagles.

The Curious Observer – 2nd February 2026

The Curious Observer is back to run the rule over the MFL gameweek three fixtures. Two tantalising matches were the order of the day for a chilly Monday evening with massive implications at both ends of the table.

We kicked off with the AFC Leopards facing Simba FC - a big five battle. AFC Leopards were looking to continue their winning start to the campaign with Simba on the hunt for a play-off spot.

With only six players on the pitch, the Simba players kept the Leopards at bay. Skipper Hussein Rajabali lead a rear-guard action and they battled hard to keep the score level.

Feisal Salehmohamed fizzed a couple of warning shots from distance. Ominous foreshadowing of what was to come!

However, this observer understands the Leopards non-uniform day is under review. Kits are mandatory and comments from the Super Eagles camp for a points deduction could be heard all round Moseley.

Colour coordination notwithstanding, the Leopards were clicking into gear but were struggling to breakdown a resolute Simba backline. Leopards skipper Imran turned to the bench and on came Sajjad Khaki. Smart interplay between Abbasali, Sajjad and Abbas created space on the right. A driving run down the line shifted the defenders across. Sajjad ghosted to the back post and was on the end of a pinpoint cross to make it 1-0.

At this point the Leopards adopted a shoot on sight approach. Fantastic for the neutrals. Not so great for footballs in the hedges. Owais was tested in the Simba goal and made a few sharp saves in slick conditions. Then a parry into the danger zone and Abbas Mirza's eyes lit up. A clean volley into the ground followed and the Leopards had daylight. Abbasali rounded out a dominant first half as he released a driven low shot from the right to make it 3-0.

An intense half time chat ensued amongst the Simba camp and they returned energised. Cometh the hour cometh the poacher; Ali Gulamhussein won the ball on the right of the halfway line. He shrugged off two strong challenges and unleashed a venomous shot that cannoned into the net at the near post. 3-1. The Leopards wounded at the inaugural breaching of their back line.

Two quick goals followed. Arif Railey restored the Leopards three goal margin from the penalty spot. Akil Ahmed responded in kind on his return to the squad from warm weather training; A cross from the right riffled home from the edge of the box.

Abbas Mirza then exploited the space in the final few minutes. He scored his second goal of the day with an astute finish and completed the first hatrick in MFL history with an outside of the foot finish into the side netting. 6-2 final score.

MVPs: Akil Ahmed (Simba FC) & Abbas Mirza(AFC Leopards)

The second fixture saw the Super Eagles, looking to maintain their perfect record, take on Taifa Stars, building on their handsome win in gameweek 2.

There was plenty on the line - A Super Eagles win would bring them level on points with the Leopards. A win for the Stars would put them right in the mix for the title. The heavens opened as the match kicked off and the spirit and fire in this game was evident for all to see in testing conditions.

Two well matched teams were putting on an impressive display. There was not much to separate the two sides. A true battle of attrition in the middle of the park. Keepers both in top form swatted away early chances.

A goal late into the first half broke the deadlock in fortuitous circumstances. Trademark overlapping runs from the wide players opened up space for the Eagles and Sajjad Moti was on the end of a chance. He cannoned it towards goal. It looked a regulation save for Shoaib until a vicious deflection wrongfooted the back line. 1-0 at the half.

The second half saw both teams battle. Acutely aware of what was on the line, the Eagles began to sit deeper and deeper. They invited Taifa Stars pressure and the back line stood steadfast. The game mimicked the weather with shots raining in. Tajri Senior earning his keep.

The neutrals were heavily invested. The game was on a knife edge. And much like he did vs Simba, Haadi stepped up to seal the tie. With a cross drifting to the back post he met it with powerful and precise diving header! A majestic finish to settle the tie.

MVPs: Baqirali Somani (Taifa Stars) & Zully Ismail(Super Eagles)

The final three games of the regular season take place on Monday. First plays second in a title decider and a double header for Bafana means it’s all to play for heading into the final day of the regular season!

The Curious Observer – 27th January 2026

Gameweek 2 of the MFL commenced this Monday and your favourite armchair analyst returned to reflect on a bumper three game slate.

The 8pm kick-off marked Simba FC’s season opener against a Taifa Stars side eager to atone for last week’s sobering 3–0 defeat. Pre-match chatter centred on Simba’s looming double gameweek, though skipper Hussein Rajabali appeared unmoved, insisting his squad were ready for anything.

Simba started on the front foot and were soon rewarded. Ali Gulamhussein brought down a raking pass from Owais ‘Ederson’ Bharwani before rifling past the keeper. Poise personified. Their high-altitude training appeared to be paying dividends, with the crowd purring at Ali Taqi’s performance, one voice even asking for details of his pre-workout routine.

Taifa, however, responded in style. Their wonderkids turned FIFA into reality as Baqir slid in Ammar, who selflessly squared for Jamal to finish with his trademark trivella. A ‘sweaty’ goal, executed with class. Ammar soon added a goal of his own, pouncing on a Simba mix-up to give the Stars a 2–1 lead at the interval.

The second half ebbed and flowed, defences largely cancelling each other out, until Muhammad Kurji released Ammar into a 3 v 2 against a stretched Simba back line. Ammar found Jamal once more, whose effort deflected in at the near post to double his tally.

With pride on the line, Simba’s lions began to bare their teeth, but the Stars’ keeper stood firm, producing cat-like reflexes to deny both Ali Gulamhussein and Taqi. Space opened up late on, and Taifa’s attacking trident made it count, with Baqer tapping home to cap a slick move and seal a 4–1 win.

The scoreline may flatter the Stars slightly, but after last week’s setback, they will take it gladly.

MVPs: Ali Taqi (Simba FC) & Ammar Siwji (Taifa Stars)

The second match of the evening saw the highly regarded AFC Leopards take on Bafana Bafana.

Buoyed by the signing of Shahid 'Vieira' Visram, Bafana were looking to kickstart their season. With Murtaza Hemraj admirably deputising at the back the early exchanges showed promise.

The joy however was short-lived. A loose pass at the back and the Leopards could barely believe their luck. Shades of Thierry latching onto a loose Gerrard back pass at Euro 2004 and the captain swept the ball into the net. The lead was doubled before half time. Abbas Mirza stealing the ball on the halfway line. He drove with power and precision and riffled the ball into the back of the net. You could be forgiven for thinking you were in the Serengeti with the Leopards running so free.

The second half saw a bit more steel from the Bafana Bafana line up who had reverted to doing the simple things effectively. Energetic wing play, quicker releases and better tracking back resulted in a more even contest. Abbasali Hemraj rounded out the result with a sharp finish amongst a fracas in the box. 3-0 again for the Leopards.

Despite the result, Bafana Bafana have much to be proud of. A more resilient and united display vs tough opposition.

The AFC Leopards were heard engaging in a post-match "trust the process" chant. And at this point, why wouldn't you.

MVPs: Murtaza Hemraj (Bafana Bafana) & Feisal Salehmohamed (AFC Leopards)

Tuesday saw the pick of the matches. Eagles vs Simba. A battle of the apex predators.

Simba were wounded with absentees from the rigor of fixture congestion. Reports state Rajabali could be heard on Wake Green Road bellowing, "Rest is rust". A rallying cry.

In true predator fashion, the Eagles started with no mercy. Full backs over lapping. Cutbacks galore. In the blink of an eye a smart finish from Golden Boot contender Sajjad Moti had the Eagles ahead.

Simba roared into life with Ali Gulamhussein receiving the ball on the left. Breezed past two. Inside then out. He forced the defender into a rash challenge. AJ Collina with an easy decision to point to the spot. A calmly slotted penalty. Early evidence suggests Simba have unearthed a poacher in Ali. The touch paper had well and truly been lit and this match burst into life.

The Eagles took control of the wide areas and were handsomely rewarded. Strong wing play and deadly final ball deliveries cut through the Simba defence. First Nemo feasted on a chance at the penalty spot to make it 2-1. Sajjad Moti was on the end of the next with a classy backheel flick and Ayaan Bhanji made it 4-1.

The Simba Team did not go down quietly, playing with no subs they showed incredible resilience in the face of adversity. At the back Abbas Waljee was Cannavaro reincarnate with goal saving blocks and interceptions. Alongside a stoic Abbas Dhalla they defended admirably.

And then a moment that this game deserved. There was Beckham vs Wimbledon, Ronaldinho vs England and now Ali Taqi vs Super Eagles. He picked the ball up on the half way line. He muscled his way past the first defender. Showed great skill to get past the second and unleashed a venomous shot from 25 yards that cannoned in off the post. The skill. The audacity. A thing of beauty!

The deficit was now down to two goals. The crowd and Simba were geared for a comeback! Eagles skipper Haadi took matters into his own hands. A speculative effort from wide on the left sailed into the back of the net and it was 5-2.

Not to be outdone, Hussein Rajabali cannoned a shot in off the crossbar in the final moments. To make the final score 5-3. A consolation goal it may be but one of great significance as it keeps Simba in the play off places on goal difference. The stage is set for the clash vs Bafana Bafana in a real 6 pointer.

MVPs: Abbas Waljee (Simba FC) & Sajjad Moti (Super Eagles)

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.