Daily Express
Kota Kinabalu: Cebagoo FC received a blow to their preparations for the FAM League next season with the news that midfield maestro Mohd Arfiyansah Abd Jafar is set to join Felda United's FAM League squad together with striker Leopold Alfonso.
Arfiyanshah who was the team's top scorer last season with four goals to his credit despite playing in midfield told Express Sports on Thursday that it was a difficult and painful decision for him to make.
The 24-year-old from Tawau said he and Leopold were given the nod by the Felda United officials after successfully attended a trial sponsored by them which was held last week.
"No doubt the offer on the table was good but it wasn't easy for me to quit the team as I had a very good rapport with the players and officials here.
I had a long discussion with my family and in the end I decided to accept the offer because as a professional footballer, there is a need to think of my financial future and at the same time to broaden my experience as well."
He thanked Club officials especially President Mohd Jo Wid for their support throughout last season and hoped that they will understand his situation.
The former Johor FC player said his new team consisted of only five senior players including him and Leopold while the restsare all junior players.
"The team is quite good with so many young players and at the recent friendly match against Super League outfit PKNS, they managed to restrict the team led by former Sabah stalwarts Sahrul Azhar Ture and Radzi Hussin to only a slim 1-0 victory."
Meanwhile, the departure of the talented Leopold Alfonso who had been training with Cebagoo FC since his release by the State senior team also came as a shock to many.
Although the striker was never officially unveiled as their player, many thought the management would sign him on as his ability to score goals from anywhere on the field will help them do well in the coming season.
And with the imminent signing of two other ex- Sabah players Razlan Oto and Juffy Omopor in the team, the trio would have formed a formidable frontline which was their main weakness last season.
Meanwhile, another former Sabah senior team player Farid Saibun had also ventured out of the State and will don Melaka colours in the FAM League for the new season as well.
