Akram Afif becomes first Qatari in history to play in La Liga
It is a historic day for Qatari sport as Al Sadd player Akram Afif is all set to join Spanish side Villarreal soon.
Villarreal has reached an agreement with Qatar Stars League side Al Sadd to sign Afif. For the last two seasons, the 19-year-old forward has been playing on loan at the Aspire Zone Foundation-owned Belgian club KAS Eupen.
Akram is one of the most promising young talents in Qatar.
He was one of the chief architects of Qatar’s triumph at the Asian Under-19 Championship in Myanmar in 2014. He was also instrumental in helping Qatar finish fourth at the Asian U-23 Championship in Doha in January.
He has also been a regular with Qatar’s senior national team of late.
“KAS Eupen provided me with the right conditions to develop as a player and human being. The club helped me climb up the ladder. I thank the coaches, team-mates and fans,” said Akram.
During the current season he scored six times in 16 appearances for Eupen, who subsequently have gained promotion to Belgium's top division.
Eupen director Christoph Henkel said in a statement posted on the club's website that he was sorry to see Afif leave but the club "wished him luck and success in his future career".
In the same statement Afif said Eupen had been a "beautiful episode" in his life.
His father was the famous Hassan Afifi played for Kismayu in the regional championship back in early 70's and then joined Horsed FC in the Somali top division league and the Somali national team in the 70's and 80's
He is not a Tanzanian may be his mother but not his father. His father was born and bread in Kismayu Somalia and legend in Somalian football and the national team
Do they really give citizenship to these hired players. I think they are only given the temporary passport.
A lot of countries offer citizenship to people who excel in sports. Above scenario is mutually beneficial for both parties, the kind of training facilities and opportunities that Mr. Akram Afif currently gets in Qatar would be rare in Tanzania or Yemen.
Some people are priceless.
Everything has a price, even your identity. I guess it depends on the person, what they value and their integrity!
It is disgusting how Qatar buys foreign nationals to polish up their reputation in sports.
Father from Tanzania, mother from Yemen. How did he become Qatari?