Nine years ago, Eastern Cape-born soccer player Mohammed Faeez Khan took a leap of faith, packed up, and left SA in search of green pastures.
That step into the unknown has seen him build a successful career as a footballer in Asia, and more recently, saw him part of the team that beat Manchester United last week.
It was in 2016 when Khan left for China, having signed up for Topfung FC.
He then received an offer from Phattalung FC in Thailand before joining Visakha FC in Cambodia in 2019.
Khan has made a name for himself in Cambodia and, on Wednesday last week, captained the ASEAN All-Stars XI to a memorable victory over Manchester United in Malaysia.
The 32-year-old also captains Visakha in the Cambodian League Championship.
The team finished in third position on the log this season with 65 points from 30 matches.
Khan, who is now better known as Kan Mo in the Cambodian football scene, was born in East London and his father, Faizal, who used to play in East London, now lives in Gqeberha.
His football career started at Merchants Football Club and later he joined Star of India FC, both clubs in East London.
At the age of 15, after an Engen Tournament which took place in Gqeberha, he was selected to represent the SA U17 national team and was also scouted by Santos in Cape Town.
He joined their academy and ended up playing in the Santos Vodacom team.
As his career progressed in SA, he went on to play for the Free State Stars Diski team, NFD side Milano FC and Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila.
Reflecting on Wednesday’s match against Manchester United, Khan said it was an experience they would never forget.
United finished 15th in the English Premier League and lost to Tottenham in the Europa League final.
Their poor form continued at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium, where they lost 1-0 to ASEAN All-Stars in the first friendly of their postseason tour.
Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho, Jonny Evans and Amad Diallo were among 11 changes at halftime with the score locked at 0-0, but Maung Maung Lwin netted a 71st-minute winner for the Southeast Asia XI side.
Khan said when the news came that he would be playing against the globally popular English side, he was shocked but excited at the same time.
“The call-up came as a surprise, and when I received the call, the news was extremely exciting,” Khan said.
“The reality only set in when I headed to the airport for the flight to Malaysia.
“Being selected among the best players in the ASEAN region was a true honour.
“The game was intense, an experience that will stay in my memory forever.
“Winning against United was certainly thrilling, playing against one of the biggest clubs in the world, and beating them is something to be proud of.
“The entire team performed extremely well, and playing together for the first time after just two sessions and only meeting some squad members for the first time, is an excellent achievement.”
The centre-back said his main task on match day was to keep Rasmus Højlund at bay.
“But I also had to defend against Alejandro Garnacho, Amad Diallo, Chido Obi, Patrick Dorgu, Kobbie Mainoo, Casemiro and Harry Maguire,” he said.
“Playing against Manchester United, the plan was to keep the defence narrow and compact and play on the counterattack.
“I firmly believe that I gave it my all and had a good game, and if I listen to the critics, I had a solid performance.
“My ambition is for Visakha to win the Cambodia Premier League and for the Cambodia National Team to continue growing and improving.”
Faizal, who is a Man United fan, said he could not be prouder of his son.
He said they were not only proud of his achievements on the football field, but were also proud of the husband and new father he was.
“He has sacrificed from an early age of 15, leaving the comfort of his home, his commitment, dedication and his extremely hard-working mentality have allowed him to achieve his goals in football,” Faizal said.
“He has also qualified as a sports conditioning coach and will continue with a career in football and other sports beyond his footballing playing days.
“As his parents, we will be eternally grateful to Glen and Shaylin Minnie, together with Boebie Solomons, for restarting Faeez’s football career.
“All in the family were extremely emotional seeing him take the field against Manchester United, and when he delivered that excellent, solid performance, we were all just so proud.”
The Herald
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