Radanfah Abu Bakr
{{short description|Trinidadian footballer (born 1987)}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Radanfah Abu Bakr
| image =
| fullname = Radanfah Abu Bakr
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1987|02|12|df=y}}
| birth_place = Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
| height = {{Height|m=1.98}}
| currentclub =
| clubnumber =
| position = Centre-back
| youthyears1 = 2002–2005
| youthclubs1 = Queen's Royal College
| youthyears2 = 2005
| youthclubs2 = Caledonia AIA
| years1 = 2006–2009 | clubs1 = Caledonia AIA | caps1 = 22 | goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2009 | clubs2 = Swansea City | caps2 = 0 | goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2010–2011 | clubs3 = Joe Public | caps3 = 3 | goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2011 | clubs4 = Olympic Charleroi | caps4 = 4 | goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2012–2013 | clubs5 = Caledonia AIA | caps5 = | goals5 =
| years6 = 2013 | clubs6 = Vostok | caps6 = 27 | goals6 = 1
| years7 = 2014 | clubs7 = Kruoja Pakruojis | caps7 = 23 | goals7 = 2
| years8 = 2015–2016 | clubs8 = HB Køge | caps8 = 19 | goals8 = 1
| years9 = 2016 | clubs9 = Sillamäe Kalev | caps9 = 15 | goals9 = 1
| years10 = 2017 | clubs10 = Sūduva Marijampolė | caps10 = 22 | goals10 = 2
| years11 = 2018 | clubs11 = PS TIRA | caps11 = 16 | goals11 = 1
| years12 = 2019–2020 | clubs12 = Churchill Brothers | caps12 = 11| goals12 = 1
| years13 = 2023– | clubs13 = AC Port of Spain | caps13 = | goals13 =
| nationalyears1 = 2009–2022
| nationalteam1 = Trinidad and Tobago
| nationalcaps1 = 36
| nationalgoals1 = 2
| pcupdate = 9 December 2018
| ntupdate = 24 January 2017
}}
Radanfah Abu Bakr (born 12 February 1987) is a Trinidadian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for TT Premier Football League club AC Port of Spain.
Career
=Club=
Abu Bakr went to Queen's Royal College in Trinidad{{Cite web |url=http://www.socawarriors.net/mens-senior-team/player-pool.html?view=playerprofile&id=550 |title=Player Profile – Radanfah Abu Bakr: Soccer Warrirors |access-date=3 October 2009 |archive-date=5 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305011533/http://www.socawarriors.net/mens-senior-team/player-pool.html?view=playerprofile&id=550 |url-status=dead }} and began his career in Trinidad and Tobago side Caledonia AIA, before signing for Swansea City on 30 August 2009, in a short-term loan deal until 1 January 2010. He has been signed to help relieve the injury crisis at the club.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/swansea_city/8229704.stm |title=Swansea capture Trinidad defender |publisher=BBC Sport |date=1 September 2009 |access-date=1 September 2009 |archive-date=23 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170823072501/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/swansea_city/8229704.stm |url-status=live }} He previously had two trial spells at the club, in 2007 and in 2008, but was unable to sign for the Swans after they were denied a work permit.{{Cite web |url=http://www.socawarriors.net/forum/index.php?topic=31509.msg362651 |title=Radanfah Abu Bakr gets Swansea trial. |access-date=3 October 2009 |archive-date=23 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170823081511/http://www.socawarriors.net/forum/index.php?topic=31509.msg362651 |url-status=live }} Bakr started his career at a relatively late age which he has put down to him deciding to put his head down and study, he took a degree in business management in Kingston University in London.{{cite web |url=http://www.swanseacity.net/page/Latest/0,,10354~1783326,00.html |title=Swans snap-up Radanfah |publisher=Swanseacity.net |date=1 September 2009 |access-date=1 September 2009 |archive-date=4 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090904231302/http://www.swanseacity.net/page/Latest/0,,10354~1783326,00.html |url-status=live }}
In August 2009, a work permit was arranged for the UK, and Radanfah signed a three-month contract with Swansea on 1 September 2009.{{cite web|title=Swansea capture Trinidad defender|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/swansea_city/8229704.stm|publisher=BBC News|access-date=19 September 2014|date=1 September 2009|archive-date=23 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170823072501/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/swansea_city/8229704.stm|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Abu Bakr secures Swansea contract|url=http://www.socawarriors.net/foreign-based/foreign-based-news/foreign-based-news/5931-abu-bakr-secures-swansea-contract.html|website=socawarriors.net|publisher=socawarriors|access-date=19 September 2014|date=30 August 2009|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924103317/http://www.socawarriors.net/foreign-based/foreign-based-news/foreign-based-news/5931-abu-bakr-secures-swansea-contract.html|url-status=live}} After this deal expired he was not offered terms to extend his stay and so returned to Trinidad to sign for Joe Public. On 21 July 2011, he was signed by Belgium club Olympic Charleroi after a successful trial.{{cite web |url=http://www.ttffonline.com/home/latest-news/mens-senior-team/139-abu-bakr-pens-2-yr-deal.html |title=ABU BAKR PENS 2-YR DEAL |publisher=ttffonline.com |access-date=1 August 2011 |archive-date=29 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129165233/http://www.ttffonline.com/home/latest-news/mens-senior-team/139-abu-bakr-pens-2-yr-deal.html |url-status=dead }} He left Olympic Charleroi and returned to Caledonia AIA during the 2012 season. Abu Bakr helped Caledonia AIA win the 2012 CFU Club Championship on 21 June 2012. He scored his side's goal in a 1–1 draw after extra time against W Connection, with Caledonia AIA winning 4–2 on penalty kicks.{{cite web|title=Caledonia pips Connection for CFU Club Championship title|url=http://www.ttproleague.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1258:caledonia-pips-connection-for-cfu-club-championship-title&catid=1:domestic-news&Itemid=80|publisher=TTProleague.com|access-date=17 June 2014|archive-date=29 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129044556/http://www.ttproleague.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1258:caledonia-pips-connection-for-cfu-club-championship-title&catid=1:domestic-news&Itemid=80|url-status=live}}
In February 2013 Abu Bakr moved to Kazakhstan Premier League side Vostok.{{cite web|title=Caledonia duo leads European exodus with Kazakhstan move|url=http://www.wired868.com/2013/02/04/caledonia-duo-leads-european-exodus-with-kazakhstan-move/|publisher=Wired868|access-date=5 November 2013|archive-date=5 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105130935/http://www.wired868.com/2013/02/04/caledonia-duo-leads-european-exodus-with-kazakhstan-move/|url-status=live}} He played 28 league games for Vostok before moving to Lithuanian A Lyga side Kruoja a year later.{{cite web|last1=Mohammed|first1=Inshan|title=Abu Bakr joins FK Kruoja Pakruojis|url=http://www.socawarriors.net/foreign-based/foreign-based-news/foreign-based-news/13731-abu-bakr-joins-fk-kruoja-pakruojis.html|publisher=SocaWarriors|access-date=17 June 2014|date=19 March 2014|archive-date=3 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140403063714/http://socawarriors.net/foreign-based/foreign-based-news/foreign-based-news/13731-abu-bakr-joins-fk-kruoja-pakruojis.html|url-status=live}}
On 2 February 2015, he signed a contract with Danish club HB Køge.{{cite web|last1=Helmin|first1=Jesper|title=HB Køge henter eksotisk stopper|url=http://www.bold.dk/nyt/hb-koege-henter-eksotisk-stopper|publisher=bold.dk|access-date=9 February 2015|date=2 February 2015|archive-date=9 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150209185845/http://www.bold.dk/nyt/hb-koege-henter-eksotisk-stopper|url-status=live}}
In July 2016, Abu Bakr signed with Estonian top division club JK Sillamäe Kalev.{{cite web|title=Sillamäega on liitumas mängijad Itaaliast ning Trinidad ja Tobagost|url=http://soccernet.ee/artikkel/sillamaega-on-liitumas-mangijad-itaaliast-ning-trinidad-ja-tobagost|publisher=soccernet.ee|access-date=30 July 2016|archive-date=24 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160724213502/http://soccernet.ee/artikkel/sillamaega-on-liitumas-mangijad-itaaliast-ning-trinidad-ja-tobagost|url-status=live}}
On 25 February 2017, he joined Lithuanian A Lyga side Sūduva Marijampolė.{{cite web|title="Sūduvos" gynybos grandyje – du naujokai|url=http://fksuduva.lt/suduvos-gynybos-grandyje-du-naujokai/|publisher=FK Sūduva|access-date=25 February 2017|language=lt|date=25 February 2017|archive-date=26 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170226045559/http://fksuduva.lt/suduvos-gynybos-grandyje-du-naujokai/|url-status=live}}
On 6 September 2019 Abu Bakr penned deal with I-League side and is currently playing for Churchill Brothers.{{cite web|url=https://www.goal.com/en-in/news/i-league-churchill-brothers-abu-bakr-garcia-primus-alhassan/1ekz5e3fs6skw19ibw4pbcpeu3|title=I-League: Churchill Brothers sign Radanfah Abu Bakr, Joaquin Garcia|date=6 September 2019|first=Anselm|last=Noronha|publisher=Goal|access-date=11 October 2019|archive-date=11 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191011131708/https://www.goal.com/en-in/news/i-league-churchill-brothers-abu-bakr-garcia-primus-alhassan/1ekz5e3fs6skw19ibw4pbcpeu3}}
=International career=
Abu Bakr made his debut for the Trinidad and Tobago national team on 30 July 2008, coming on as a substitute in a friendly against Haiti. Another substitute appearance followed two weeks later in a friendly against El Salvador.
He would have to wait until June 2009 for his next international; making his first start and competitive appearance in a World Cup qualifier against Mexico, losing 2–1. Abu Bakr scored his first international goal a month later in a 3–2 friendly win against Saint Kitts and Nevis. He went on to play in a further four of Trinidad and Tobago's qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup, but lost his place in the side after that.
Abu Bakr returned to the international side in June 2013 as part of Trinidad and Tobago's build up to the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup, playing in friendlies away against Romania and Estonia. He was selected for his nation's squad for the tournament, and helped them reach the quarter-finals where they lost narrowly to Mexico.{{cite web|url=http://www.socawarriors.net/mens-senior-team/senior-team-news/player-pool.html?view=matchreport&id=562 |title=Match Report |publisher=SocaWarriors |access-date=17 June 2014}}
Career statistics
=Club=
=International=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | ||
| colspan=3|Trinidad and Tobago football team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Apps | Goals |
| 2008 | 2 | 0 |
| 2009 | 6 | 1 |
| 2013 | 9 | 0 |
| 2014 | 1 | 0 |
| 2015 | 8 | 1 |
| 2016 | 7 | 0 |
| 2017 | 2 | 0 |
| Total||35||2 |
Statistics accurate as of match played 8 January 2017{{cite web |url=http://www.socawarriors.net/mens-senior-team/senior-team-news/player-pool.html?view=matchfixtures&pid=550 |title=Matches Played by Radanfah Abu Bakr |publisher=SocaWarriors |access-date=17 June 2014 |archive-date=29 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129140344/http://www.socawarriors.net/mens-senior-team/senior-team-news/player-pool.html?view=matchfixtures&pid=550 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.national-football-teams.com/player/28888.html |title=Radanfah Abu Bakr |website=National-Football-Teams.com |access-date=19 September 2014 |archive-date=19 June 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130619124037/http://www.national-football-teams.com/player/28888.html |url-status=live }}
=International goals=
:''Updated to games played 8 June 2014
| class="wikitable" | ||||||||
| # | Date | Venue | Cap | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| align=center|1 | 12 July 2009 | Warner Park, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis | 4 | {{fb|SKN}} | 1–0 | 3–2 | Friendly | {{cite web|title=Baptiste's goal gives T&T 3–2 win over St Kitts|url=http://www.socawarriors.net/mens-senior-team/senior-team-news/player-pool.html?view=matchreport&id=493|website=socawarriors.net|publisher=socawarriors|access-date=19 September 2014|date=13 July 2009}} |
| align=center|2 | 8 October 2015 | Estadio Rommel Fernández, Panama City, Panama | 23 | {{fb|PAN}} | 2–0 | 2–1 | Friendly |
Personal life
Radanfah is the son of Yasin Abu Bakr.{{Cite web |url=http://www.socawarriors.net/forum/index.php?topic=28945.0 |title=Radanfah Abu Bakr is back |access-date=3 October 2009 |archive-date=14 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090814211323/http://www.socawarriors.net/forum/index.php?topic=28945.0 |url-status=live }}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Soccerbase}}
- {{NFT|28888|Radanfah Abu Bakr}}
- {{Soccerway|radanfah-abu-bakr/81797}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Trinidad and Tobago squads
| bg = #ce1126
| fg = white
| bordercolor = black
| list1 =
{{Trinidad and Tobago squad 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup}}
{{Trinidad and Tobago squad 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup}}
{{Trinidad and Tobago squad 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup}}
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Abu Bakr, Radanfah}}
Category:Trinidad and Tobago men's footballers
Category:21st-century Trinidad and Tobago sportsmen
Category:Trinidad and Tobago men's international footballers
Category:Men's association football central defenders
Category:Trinidad and Tobago Muslims
Category:Trinidad and Tobago expatriate men's footballers
Category:TT Pro League players
Category:Kazakhstan Premier League players
Category:Danish 1st Division players
Category:Liga 1 (Indonesia) players
Category:Morvant Caledonia United players
Category:Swansea City A.F.C. players
Category:Joe Public F.C. players
Category:Olympic Charleroi players
Category:JK Sillamäe Kalev players
Category:Persikabo 1973 players
Category:Churchill Brothers FC Goa players
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England
Category:Trinidad and Tobago expatriate sportspeople in England
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Belgium
Category:Trinidad and Tobago expatriate sportspeople in Belgium
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Kazakhstan
Category:Trinidad and Tobago expatriate sportspeople in Kazakhstan
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Lithuania
Category:Trinidad and Tobago expatriate sportspeople in Lithuania
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Denmark
Category:Trinidad and Tobago expatriate sportspeople in Denmark
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Estonia
Category:Trinidad and Tobago expatriate sportspeople in Estonia
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Indonesia
Category:Trinidad and Tobago expatriate sportspeople in Indonesia
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in India
Category:Trinidad and Tobago expatriate sportspeople in India
Category:Footballers from Port of Spain
Category:2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup players