Nazmi Faiz & Wan Zack: What Really Hapenned?

Not so long ago, all Malaysian football followers were in cloud nine to see two local players got the chance to play overseas. Nazmi Faiz (left) managed to become the first ever Malaysian to sign a contract with a club in the top division of major European leagues. He signed for Beira Mar, a Portugese club in the same league with European giants, FC Porto and Sporting Lisbon. Meanwhile, Wan Zack (right) got the chance to join FC Ryukyu, a third division Japanese club. All of a sudden, Malaysians were all brimming with hope that both players can be the catalyst of Malaysian national team development and all locals had already been dreaming of Malaysia to one day qualified for the World Cup.

However, all those hope and dreams were short lifted by the heart breaking news of both players returning to Malaysia to continue their career with the local teams. Nazmi joined PKNS and then Selangor with quick succession. Meanwhile Wan Zack decided to join football-obsessed Kelantan as his next destination. So what really happened to them? Why so soon? Below are their stories...

What happened to Nazmi Faiz?

According to reliable sources, Beira Mar was having a problem with their own financial. Unfortunately, Nazmi was among several Beira Mar players who didn't received any salary payment for three months in a row. That really hit Nazmi as he was kicked out from his rented house as the result of unpaid rent and had to stay at one of his teammate's house. His agent also began to neglect him and then finally Nazmi decided enough was enough. The contract with Beira Mar was canceled and the next thing he knew, he was on the plane back to Malaysia.

What happened to Wan Zack?

Wan Zack's case was different. At Japan, he was one of the star performers during the early stage. However, a persistent injury sidelined him for majority of his time there. Soon, he was behind the pecking order. Frequent traveling for treatment really took its toll. Wan Zack also finally decided to end his stay at Japan to come back to Malaysia to get uninterrupted full recovery. Then came the calling from Kelantan and the rest was history.

What The Writer thinks?

In the case of Nazmi, the FAM (Football Association of Malaysia) should take every action required to help him solved the financial problem. That was a small problem. It was incomparable with the harder situations that other poorer footballers from African region were facing. The African did all by themselves and they managed to succeed to become legends of the game. Just ask Didier Drogba and Nwankwo Kanu. The FAM should prepared and supplied Nazmi for everything during his stint at overseas, because he is a true star in the making. Nazmi should really be given every chance to succeed.

On the other hand, Wan Zack had an unfortunate experience. No one can really blame him. Malaysian footballers should be prepared with a complete rigorous training regime to better equipped them with the demand of overseas' football. Injuries are normal but a high fitness level can avoid persistent injury problems and expedite players' recovery process. The Writer is hopeful to see other Malaysian footballers given the chance to shine at overseas in the future and also praying for longer and more fruitful career for them...