Lutfi named Pak football team head coach for Malaysia tour

KARACHI: Tariq Lutfi will serve as head coach of Pakistan football team during its next month’s tour of Malaysia, the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) Normalisation Committee announced on Thursday.

The tour will be held in between January 17-24. It was learnt that 38 to 40 players have been invited to the camp which will begin at the KRL Stadium in Rawalpindi from January 2. KRL Sports Manager Ayaz Butt has also been credited for his meritorious services for football and has been made as manager and camp commandant.

Gohar Zaman, a former international and AFC License A coach, will serve as Lutfi’s assistant on the tour. Former Pakistan captain Jaffar Khan will act as goalkeeping coach while Mohammad Shahid will be the physio.

The NC is yet to unveil the list of players invited for the camp.

A source said that around eight Under-19 players have also been invited. Since taking charge last September NC seems to have focussed on keeping the players active instead of going for the PFF elections which is its main target.

NC has been advised by FIFA to hold the PFF elections within nine months so that a democratically elected body could take charge and start promoting the game.