Former Lübeck player Mustafa Zazai is now a professional footballer in Cambodia
At 28, Mustafa Zazai has seen more of the world than many professional footballers at the end of their careers. After stints in northern Germany (including VfB Lübeck 2011 – 2013, FC St. Pauli, Lüneburger SK), the native Afghan has made his home in Asia. Thailand, Malaysia – Zazai has now signed a one-year contract with Boeung Ket Angkor FC in Cambodia’s capital Phnom Penh. His new club is a four-time champion and wants to play for the title – the season starts on March 5th.
“I regret not having taken this step sooner after things didn’t go up in Germany,” he says – and enthuses: “An essential point is life, which is much more relaxed. The weather is good and the people are very friendly. The quality of life is much better than in Germany. Here you can train under good conditions all year round – without a winter break.” Of course, the financial aspect also plays a role.
Mustafa Zazai dreamed of playing professional football since he was a child
Even as a child, Zazai dreamed of a professional career, but only did his A-levels and might not have made it this far if he hadn’t met coach Michael Hopp in the VfB Lübeck youth team. “That was the time when I was kicked out at Hamburger SV. Hopper brought me to Lohmühle from Concordia Hamburg and gave me back my self-confidence,” emphasizes the likeable whirlwind and adds: “He has positive energy and very good knowledge. He was the most important coach in my career.” We never lost contact. At the beginning of November, Zazai visited his sponsor and current sports teacher at the Schleswig-Holstein Football Association in Malente and presented him with a jersey gift.
Top technicians alongside Sebastian Jakubiak and Ahmet Arslan
“Musti has become a really great person, has developed really well from youth to adult,” says Hopp about his ex-protégé. “He is an outstanding technician with good speed and a good goal finish and was one of my top three technicians along with Sebastian Jakubiak and Ahmet Arslan. There you can see what technology is all about. Musti still earns his money with football, lives his dream abroad and gathers experience there. What particularly impresses me is that he is very down-to-earth and has a great family.” Both insisted on taking part in a free-kick challenge – with Zazai as the happy winner.
By Volker Giering
Reference-www.ln-online.de