THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Muhammed Rafi resents the fact that his name, as a footballer, attracted fanfare only after a million dollar contract with Churchill Brothers two seasons ago. Nevertheless, he acknowledges the impetus the move generated, which according to him, had provided excitement and enthusiasm among the football aficionados in the cricket-crazy nation.
After his match-winning performance in the I-League against Chirag United Kerala, Rafi admitted that playing football nowadays provides plush remuneration and big fanfare. But donning the national jersey is a totally different feeling and the emotional pull is unparalleled. And he is hopeful of a comeback in the near future.
“I had a conversation with Savio Medeira (national coach) in Goa,” says Rafi. “He told me to get the fitness certificate from the club once I return match-fit. Hopefully, I would be able to perform with the team in the near future,” he added.
Touching upon the different coaches that he has played under, the striker says, “Though I could only spend a month with Churchill’s Portuguese coach Manuel Gomes, the stint has helped in a big way to hone my talents. He sticks to one touch play which makes the game faster. Strikers would get a lot of opportunity to score.”
He also does not mince words saying that former national coach Bob Houghton had a big role in bringing the best out of him. Hailing from Thrikkaripur in Kasargod, the charming youth had a meteoric rise after his excellent four-year stint with State Bank of Travancore, Thiruvananthapuram. An inevitable thrust in his career came after he ventured to the now disbanded Mahindra United. In the 2009-10 season, he amassed 14 goals for the ‘red bulls’ to stake his claim for the national jersey. Houghton, the then India coach, identified his talent and roped him into the national squad. Rafi was part of the national team for nine months before crashing out with a grave ligament injury to his left knee. The match against Chirag was only his second outing in the current I-League season.
The 28-year old played his cards right and shouldered Churchill to a deserved win.
“It was my first goal since recovering from the injury and I feel comfortable. The game was tight and my goal helped us to edge past Chirag. Chirag has got a bunch of talents in the likes of Ashik Usman and Asif K who could evolve into seasoned professionals once they get acquainted with the pressure of being at the national level. I feel they will have a lot of contracts in the offing in the near future,” he adds.