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