AZHAR Sharif, a former national football player in the 1980s, died at the 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. 

Zulkifli Mohamad, a friend of the national legend, 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 added that Azhar would be laid to rest at the Sungai Buloh Muslim Cemetery in Selangor. 

Azhar, who was of the same generation as the late Mokhtar Dahari, had helped the Harimau Malaya (national team) win the 1986 Pestabola Merdeka tournament, in addition to playing at the 1986 Seoul Asian Games in South Korea. 

He also played an important role in helping Selangor win the Malaysia Cup in 1984 and 1986, scoring goals in the finals of both years. – Bernama, April 6, 2023.