80s footballer Azhar Sharif dies aged 58

KUALA LUMPUR – Azhar Sharif, a former national football player in the 80s, died at Selayang Hospital here at 4.30am today. He was 58.

The news of the former midfielder’s passing was confirmed by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) on their official Facebook site.

“May Allah SWT have mercy on his soul, forgive all his sins and place him among the righteous. Al-Fatihah,” said FAM.

Meanwhile, Zulkifli Mohamad, a friend of the national legend, when contacted, said Azhar had previously suffered from a stroke in addition to having heart complications.

“He had also complained of breathing problems and had to use a ventilator at the hospital,” he said.

Zulkifli said Azhar will be laid to rest at the Sg Buloh Muslim Cemetery, Selangor.

Azhar – who was of the same generation as Malaysian football giant the late Datuk Mokhtar Dahari – had helped Harimau Malaya win the 1986 Pestabola Merdeka tournament, in addition to playing at the 1986 Seoul Asian Games in South Korea.

He had also scored in the 1984 and 1986 Malaysia Cup finals, helping his club Selangor lift the trophy both times. – Bernama, April 6, 2023