Former India football captain Mohammed Habib passes away

Former India captain and legendary footballer Mohammed Habib passed away. He represented India in many international tournaments from 1965-76. He was considered by many experts as one of the best players the country has ever produced. He was also a bronze medallist in the 1970 Asian Games in Bangkok led by his fellow Hyderabadi Syed Nayeemuddin and managed by the great P.K. Banerjee.

Career and life of Mohammed Habib

Born in Hyderabad in undivided Andhra Pradesh on July 17, 1949, Habib represented India for a decade from 1965-75 and was part of the golden generation that won a bronze medal in the 1970 Asian Games in Bangkok — the team led by statemate Syed Nayeemuddin and of which another legend PK Banerjee was the manager. He was also part of the squad that secured third place in the Merdeka Tournament in 1970 and did well in the Pesta Sukan Cup in Singapore in 1971.

One of the highest points of Habib’s career was when he played for Mohun Bagan against the visiting Cosmos Club which also featured the legendary Pele in 1977 in a ‘friendly’.

For 17 long seasons starting from 1966-77, Habib, despite his diminutive nature, was a stalwart walking on the football grounds in Kolkata, according to former India captain and Hyderabadi Victor Amalraj. Habib was also instrumental in shaping the Tata Football Academy into a force to reckon with his sincerity, passion and professionalism.

Find More Obituaries News