Wikipedia

Moosa Ghazi

Moosa Ghazi (Urdu: موسیٰ غازی; 1938 – 12 May 2003) was a Pakistani footballer who played as a left winger. A former captain, Ghazi represented the Pakistan national football team in the 1960s, and was member of the national squad which finished finalists at the 1962 Merdeka Tournament. Considered as one of the earliest legends in Pakistan football history,[1][2][3][4][5] he was renowned for his performances at the wing and goalscoring abilities.[6]

Moosa Ghazi
Ghazi in 1959
Personal information
Full name Moosa Ghazi
Date of birth 1938
Place of birth Lyari, Karachi, British India
Date of death 12 May 2003(2003-05-12) (aged 64–65)[a]
Place of death Karachi, Pakistan
Position(s) Left winger
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1955–1956 Keamari Mohammedan
1956–1958 East Bengal (50)
1959–1961 Kolkata Mohammedan
1962–1963 Victoria SC
1964–1967 Dhaka Mohammedan
1969–1970 Dilkusha SC
International career
1955–1967 Pakistan
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Early life

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Ghazi hailed from the football-infatuated locality of Lyari in Karachi in British India.[7][8][9][10][11] He belonged to the Makrani Baloch community (also known as Sheedi) of African descent.[12]

Club career

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Keamari Mohammedan

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Ghazi started playing football with Karachi club Keamari Mohammedan alongside his brother Abid Ghazi.[13][14][15]

East Bengal

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Ghazi played for East Bengal from 1956 to 1958.[6][16][17] He scored 50 goals for East Bengal Club, being their highest scorer in 1956 and 1957.[6]

He scored a brilliant goal which enabled East Bengal to beat Hyderabad City Police in the 1956–57 Durand Cup final, making a solo run past the defenders and scoring to make it 2–0 as East Bengal held onto the scoreline and won their third Durand Cup title.[18][19][20] During his tenure the club also won the DCM Trophy in 1957 and IFA Shield in 1958.[6] He also held the record of most goals in the DCM Trophy, with 12 goals in single competition.[6][21]

Kolkata Mohammedan

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Ghazi standing at the far right with the 1960 Aga Khan Gold Cup winners Kolkata Mohammedan pictured before the final.

Ghazi featured for Kolkata Mohammedan in the late 50s, playing an integral role in the club's Aga Khan Gold Cup triumph over Indonesian club PSM Makassar in 1960 in Dhaka, East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). His partnership with fellow national teammate Muhammad Umer was crucial during the team's success in the season.[22]

Victoria SC

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Ghazi played for Victoria SC in Dhaka from 1962 to 1963. His best season at the club came in 1962, partnering national teammate Muhammad Umer in attack to win the Dhaka League, Independence Day Cup, Mohammad Ali Bogra Shield and Aga Khan Gold Cup.[23][24]

Dhaka Mohammedan

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Ghazi standing at the far right with Dhaka Mohammedan in 1966.

Ghazi also represented Dhaka Mohammedan in East Pakistan in the 1960s. During the Aga Khan Gold Cup in Dhaka before 1971, when the opponent side Karachi Port Trust were leading the match, Ghazi representing Dhaka Mohammedan, reportedly incited the fans to raid the pitch.[25]

Dilkusha SC

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In 1969, Ghazi helped newly promoted, Dilkusha SC, finish league runners-up. His teammates that season included the likes of national teammates - Muhammad Umer, Qadir Bakhsh and Abdul Ghafoor.[26] He left for Pakistan following the Independence of Bangladesh in 1971.[22]

International career

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Ghazi standing at the far left in the middle with the Pakistan national team in 1955

Ghazi was first selected by the Pakistan national team for the 1955 Colombo Cup, as a backup player for left winger Masood Fakhri.[22][27]

 
Pakistan national team at the 1960 Merdeka Tournament. Ghazi sitting at the far right

On 5 August 1960, Ghazi managed to score a hat-trick in a record 7–0 victory over Thailand at the 1960 Merdeka Tournament.[28][29] In 1961, he captained the national team at their second match during the Burma national team tour to East Pakistan, where they played a series of friendlies.[30]

In the next edition of the tournament where Pakistan participated, he played a crucial role in the 1962 Merdeka Tournament scoring several goals, as Pakistan ended runner up after falling to Singapore by 1–2 in the final. He scored the first goal of the match at the 28th minute, until the reportedly less dominant opponent side managed to overcome the score.[31][32]

Personal life and death

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After the fall of Dhaka in 1971, both Moosa and his brother Abid Ghazi were arrested by the Indian Army and made prisoners of war.[33] According to Abid, Moosa was previously offered Indian citizenship in the 1950s while playing in the country but he opted to sit tight.[34] Moosa has also been reportedly described contrasting to his calm brother, often engaging in controversies and quarreling with referees and linesmen until eventually reconciling at the finalisation of the matches.[25][22]

Ghazi died on 12 May 2003.[35][34][a] He spent his last years in poverty.[36]

Career statistics

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International goals

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Note: Exact figures of Pakistani players before 1989 are not yet known and yet to be researched. There is also some conjecture on the status of several games regarding recognition by FIFA as "A" internationals during that period. Below are goals recorded.

Key
‡ = Unofficial Fixture
List of international goals scored by Moosa Ghazi
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition Ref.
1 5 August 1960 Stadium Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur, Malaya   Thailand 7–0 7–0 1960 Merdeka Tournament [29][37]
2 [29][37]
3 [29][37]
4 10 August 1960 Stadium Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur, Malaya   Japan 3–1 1960 Merdeka Tournament [38][39]
- 18 August 1960 Singapore   South Vietnam ‡ 2–2 Friendly [40]
- 21 August 1960 Ikada Stadium, Jakarta, Indonesia   Indonesia ‡ 2–5 Friendly [41]
- 20 January 1961 Dhaka, East Pakistan   Burma ‡ 4–0 4–0 Friendly [42]
5 12 September 1962 Stadium Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur, Malaya   Japan 1–0 1–1 1962 Merdeka Tournament [43][44]
6 20 September 1962 Stadium Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur, Malaya   Indonesia 1–0 1–2 1962 Merdeka Tournament [45][46]

Honours

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East Bengal

Kolkata Mohammedan

Victoria SC

Dhaka Mohammedan

Dilkusha SC

Pakistan

Individual

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ a b Although news sources indicate Moosa died at the age of 75, he was 3 years younger than his brother Abid Ghazi.

References

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  1. ^ Ahsan, Ali (23 December 2010). "A history of football in Pakistan — Part I". DAWN.COM. Archived from the original on 24 July 2024. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  2. ^ Ahsan, Ali (23 December 2010). "A history of football in Pakistan — Part II". DAWN.COM. Archived from the original on 25 July 2024. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  3. ^ "Remembering Moideen Kutty, the 'iron man' from Kerala who captained Pakistan football team". The Indian Express. 20 June 2023. Archived from the original on 20 June 2023. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  4. ^ "The years of dreams | Special Report | thenews.com.pk". www.thenews.com.pk. Archived from the original on 28 July 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  5. ^ "Editorial | Special Report | Waiting for the kick off". www.thenews.com.pk. Archived from the original on 4 June 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  6. ^ a b c d e f "East Bengal Club - Legends". eastbengalclub.co.in. Archived from the original on 27 November 2018. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  7. ^ "Lyari Players Deserve Much More". The Baloch News. 23 May 2017. Archived from the original on 25 May 2024. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  8. ^ "Football World Cup fever grips one of Pakistan's poorest areas - Sports News". www.wionews.com. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  9. ^ InpaperMagazine, From (13 January 2013). "In-depth: Pakistan football". DAWN.COM. Archived from the original on 21 January 2016. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  10. ^ Shahnawaz, Mohammad (12 March 2017). "Football: THE SONG OF LYARI". DAWN.COM. Archived from the original on 30 May 2024. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  11. ^ "DAWN - Features; March 31, 2008 | Living Lyari". DAWN.COM. 31 March 2008. Archived from the original on 12 August 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  12. ^ Hoque, Shishir (4 March 2018). "Football before the birth of Bangladesh". www.dhakatribune.com. Dhaka Tribune. Archived from the original on 7 September 2021. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
  13. ^ "Civil & Military Gazette (Lahore) - Wednesday 16 March 1955" – via British Newspaper Archive.
  14. ^ "Civil & Military Gazette (Lahore) - Friday 18 March 1955" – via British Newspaper Archive.
  15. ^ "Civil & Military Gazette (Lahore) - Monday 21 March 1955" – via British Newspaper Archive.
  16. ^ Nandi, Dhritiman (13 June 2013). "Foreign recruits in Indian football – A short recap". Indian Football Network. Archived from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
  17. ^ "Essa invited to play for East Bengal in Calcutta". Brecorder. 20 June 2005. Archived from the original on 6 December 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
  18. ^ "ইস্টবেঙ্গল ক্লাবের তৃতীয়বার ডুরান্ড কাপ বিয়জের গৌরব" [East Bengal wins the Durand Cup for the third time]. Jugantor (in Bengali). 6 January 1957.
  19. ^ PTI (6 January 1957). "EXTRAVAGANT POLICE GO DOWN TO E. BENGAL IN DURAND FINAL". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 25 November 2022. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  20. ^ Sportstar, Team (12 August 2023). "East Bengal in Durand Cup: A look at Durand Cup titles won by EBFC before clash against Mohun Bagan". Sportstar. Archived from the original on 15 August 2023. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
  21. ^ a b Saha, Rupak (2000). Itihase East Bengal (in Bengali). Kolkata: Deep. p. 200.
  22. ^ a b c d Kamruzzaman, Mohammed (1 June 2003). "অনন্য-অসাধারণ ফুটবলের মুসা" [Unique-extraordinary football Moosa] (in Bengali). Krira Jagat Magazine. Retrieved 12 March 2024 – via Facebook.
  23. ^ Dulal, Mahmud (2020). খেলার মাঠে মুক্তিযুদ্ধ (transl. Liberation war in the playground) (in Bengali). Bishhoshahitto Bhobon. ISBN 978-984-8218-31-0.
  24. ^ Iqbal, Ayaz Khan | Nayir (22 September 2024). "FOOTBALL: GLORY DAYS, PASS ME BY". DAWN.COM. Archived from the original on 1 October 2024. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  25. ^ a b "The story of Karachi's KMC football stadium | Sports | thenews.com.pk". www.thenews.com.pk. Archived from the original on 1 June 2024. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  26. ^ "চলে গেলেন ওস্তাদ আলমগীর" [Ustad Alamgir has left]. newsbangla24.com (in Bengali). 3 January 2021. Archived from the original on 15 February 2024. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  27. ^ "Civil & Military Gazette (Lahore) - Monday 28 November 1955" – via British Newspaper Archive.
  28. ^ "Civil & Military Gazette (Lahore) - Saturday 06 August 1960" – via British Newspaper Archive.
  29. ^ a b c d "But they don't look the best, The Straits Times, 6 August 1960, Page 16". eresources.nlb.gov.sg.
  30. ^ "Civil & Military Gazette (Lahore) - Saturday 21 January 1961". Retrieved 7 August 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  31. ^ "Civil & Military Gazette (Lahore) - Thursday 20 September 1962" – via British Newspaper Archive.
  32. ^ "Merdeka Tournament 1962". www.rsssf.org. Archived from the original on 3 August 2022. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  33. ^ "پاکستان فٹ بال ٹیم کے سابق کپتان عابد غازی انتقال کر گئے" [Former captain of Pakistan football team Abid Ghazi passed away]. urdu.geo.tv (in Urdu). Archived from the original on 12 November 2024. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
  34. ^ a b "Pakistan's former football captain expires". DAWN.COM. 13 May 2003. Archived from the original on 29 October 2020. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
  35. ^ "Soccer's peacemaker passes away in Karachi". The Indian Express. 13 May 2003. Archived from the original on 26 September 2022. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  36. ^ "Former Pakistan captain living below poverty line". www.thenews.com.pk. Archived from the original on 7 May 2014. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
  37. ^ a b c "Civil & Military Gazette (Lahore) - Saturday 06 August 1960" – via British Newspaper Archive.
  38. ^ "Koreans set for soccer final The Straits Times, 11 August 1960, Page 14". eresources.nlb.gov.sg.
  39. ^ "Civil & Military Gazette (Lahore) - Friday 12 August 1960" – via British Newspaper Archive.
  40. ^ "Civil & Military Gazette (Lahore) - Saturday 20 August 1960" – via British Newspaper Archive.
  41. ^ "Civil & Military Gazette (Lahore) - Monday 22 August 1960" – via British Newspaper Archive.
  42. ^ "Civil & Military Gazette (Lahore) - Saturday 21 January 1961" – via British Newspaper Archive.
  43. ^ "Civil & Military Gazette (Lahore) - Thursday 13 September 1962" – via British Newspaper Archive.
  44. ^ "Nightmare of misfortunes for Pakistan The Straits Times, 13 September 1962, Page 20". eresources.nlb.gov.sg.
  45. ^ "Civil & Military Gazette (Lahore) - Thursday 20 September 1962" – via British Newspaper Archive.
  46. ^ "Indonesia keep Cup The Straits Times, 20 September 1962, Page 16". eresources.nlb.gov.sg.
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