The standard of ESPZEN football has been steadily rising evidenced in the news that three players
from ESPZEN Div 1 Champions FC 204, have recently been signed by professional clubs, namely Mr. Muhammad
Zakaria Yousif (signed for Woodlands Wellington FC in the S League), Mr. Mikky Amu (now playing in Segunda
Division in La Liga, Spain) and Mr. Shadrack Ezeagu (now playing in Viasat Divisionen, Div 1 in Denmark).
This follows a steady trend of professional signings from top ESPZEN clubs, for example, Mr. Paul Bekombo
signed by S League club Balestier Khalsa FC from former ESPZEN Midweek League team Orchard Rovers FC,
Mr. Walid Lounis signed by S League club Home United FC (now playing for Geylang United FC) from past
ESPZEN Mid Week Champions Screamin Irish FC and Mr. Obot Udoaka (now playing in Denmark, former Sporting
Afrique FC) signed from ESPZEN Saturday League Champions, International Soccer Academy (ISA).
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Mr. Muhammad Zakaria Yousif |
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Mr. Mikky Amu |
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Mr. Shadrack Ezeagu |
Whilst ESPZEN might be the premier platform for Amateur Football in Singapore, more and more ex
professionals or even ex international players are now plying their trade in ESPZEN making the
league one of the most competitive non professional leagues in this region. Div 1 Ale Vasco FC
(and now Div 2 Holland Park 11 FC) boasts Mr. Dalis Supait, Mr. Nahar Daud, Mr. Ishamuddin Bharoocha
and Mr. Samawira Basir (ex Singapore National Players and S League players), past ESPZEN Mid Week
League Champions Screamin’ Irish FC have ex S League players in Mr. Esad Sedjic and Mr. Marko
Kraljevic, ESPZEN Saturday League Champions ISA have Mr. Nathaniel Naplah (ex Liberian International
and ex Tampines Rovers) and Mr. Surachai Jaturapatarapong (ex Thailand National Captain, Home Utd
Assistant Coach) as current players and Malek Aweb (ex Singapore National Team), Mr V. Sundramoorthy
(ex Singapore National Team and Jurong FC Players / Coach) and Mr Victor Konwlo (a Liberian footballer
who has played for Canon Yaoundé in Cameroon, AS Cannes and AS Nancy in France, AZ in the Netherlands,
and Paços de Ferreira and Caldas in Portugal) as a former players, whilst ESPZEN Div 5 SCC Tigers FC
have ex English and Australian professional footballers and now celebrity pundits in Mr. PJ Roberts,
Mr. Paul Masefield. Other TV pundits Mr Andrew Leci (ESPZEN Div 5 – The Usual Suspects FC) and Mr. Dez
Corkhill (ESPZEN Midweek League - 1 Tanah Merah FC), both goalkeepers also have appeared regularly in
ESPZEN games. Finally ex English Premier League starts Jason McAteer and Lee Sharpe have also made
appearances for former ESPZEN Midweek Team: Orchard Rovers Football Club.
One of the most impressively assembled team would be ESPZEN Div 1 Champions (Season 9) FC 204
and brother team, ESPZEN Div 2 Champions (Season 9), FC PROTEGE 204 ESPZEN, whose playing staff
consists of many ex professional players who have played in the top European and Asian leagues.
Dr B Maestro, Manager of both FC 204 and FC PROT