‘Pakistani Pele’ Abdul Ghafoor dead at 71
KARACHI: Former Pakistan football captain Abdul Ghafoor, also known as the Pele of Pakistan, passed away on Friday after a protracted illness.
71-year old Ghafoor suffered a brain hemorrhage four years ago due to which he was paralyzed. He remained the captain of the Pakistan football team for 11 years from 1974 to 1985 and under his leadership Pakistan triumphed over the national teams of Russia, China and the UAE .
He was given the title ‘Pele of Pakistan’ because of his resemblance to Brazilian player Pele.
“Abdul Ghafoor was such a kind person, who will be greatly missed by all who knew him,” President of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), Faisal Saleh Hayat, said.
He added that Ghafoor’s contribution to football in Pakistan was immense and will always be remembered.
“I will remember his contribution for the development of football in Pakistan. The loss to football is irreparable, and it will be very difficult to fill the vacuum created by the passing away of such a great star of Pakistan.”
Ghafoor died in the Pakistani captial of 

Former Pakistani international footballer  has died in Karachi at the age of 71. Ghafoor, known as the "Pakistani Pele" died afer a long illness. He was the captain of the  during the 1960s and 70s.

Makhdoom Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat, the President of the  (PFF) released a statement after Ghafoor's death. He said “I was deeply saddened by the death of Pakistani Pele. This must be very difficult for all football lovers and players. Abdul Ghafoor was a kind person who will be greatly missed by all who knew him".

The PFF has come under some criticism from the Pakistani media about it's lack of support for Ghafoor in his five years of illness.

Ghafoor played his entire career in Pakistan playing for the . He rejected offers to join clubs in such countries as Russia, China and Saudi Arabia to remain in his home country. 

During his international career he is credited with being part of the best Pakistani national team ever. During this time Pakistan recorded victories over such nations as China and the United Arab Emirates. They were also successful in winning the 1974 Asian Games. 

Today Pakistan have very little success in international football. They are ranked 177th in the .



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