PETALING JAYA: The Harimau Malaya have roped in City Boy Zhafri Yahya to replace Kedah striker Syafiq Ahmad, who has been dropped from the squad due to a hamstring injury.
Syafiq, 28, suffered the injury during the Canaries’ Super League match against Perak in Alor Setar on May 24.
The 29-year-old Zhafri, fondly known as Zhaf, will be one of six Kuala Lumpur players in the Malaysian team apart from goalkeeper Azri Ghani, wingback Declan Lambert, midfielder Brendan Gan, and strikers Paulo Josue and Haqimi Azim Rosli.
South Korean Kim Pan-gon has called up 26 players for next month’s World Cup 2026-Asian Cup 2027 qualifying matches against Kyrgyzstan (June 6) and Taiwan (June 11).
Zhafri is expected to add some creativity to the team as he is rated one of the best playmakers in the Super League.
Many feel that his international cap is overdue after impressive displays for KL in the last five seasons.
“Zhafri was listed on the standby list and he has been called up for the centralised training camp ahead of the World Cup qualifying matches against Kyrgyzstan and Taiwan,” said Pan-gon.
“He will replace Syafiq, who was unable to join this centralised training camp because of an injury.
“Hopefully, Syafiq can recover soon and be called up again.”
