‘I’m going to be achieving great things and all of it is going to be for Bor’: Socceroo Awer Mabil’s stirring vow to late sister
Awer Mabil’s world was turned upside down when his sister died in a car crash in Adelaide in January. But the young Socceroo is using her memory as an inspiration as he starts his journey towards the 2022 World Cup.
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Awer Mabil will carry positive energy borne out of tragedy when he pulls on a Socceroos shirt for the first time since his sister’s death.
The former Adelaide United winger was enjoying the pinnacle of his young career as he shone for Australia at January’s Asian Cup.
But his world was turned upside down soon after the national team’s quarter-final exit at the hands of host United Arab Emirates.
Mabil learnt his sister, Bor Mabil, had died just hours earlier, having been a passenger in a car crash near her Andrews Farm home. She was 19.
“I was having the time of my life and then at the same time, the worst time of my life,” Mabil, 23, recalled.
“It was tough news and it’s a tough thing to take. I still regret some things to this day.
“I couldn’t control the situation because I wasn’t there, I was representing my country.
“But things happen for their reasons. She’s my best friend and she’ll always be with me, no matter what.
“That’s the most important thing and that’s what I focus on, the good energy that she left with me and all the good memories.
“They will always stay with me and for sure one day, we’ll see each other again.”
Mabil had enjoyed a breakout tournament in the UAE, scoring twice and propelling the national team to the last eight with his dazzling skill and blistering pace. But elation at his arrival on the international stage instantly turned to grief, as the Danish-based wide man came to terms with his loss.
He said the backing of his Socceroos teammates and coach Graham Arnold in adversity had built an unshakeable bond.
“We’re a big family here,” said Mabil, from the national team camp in Busan ahead of Friday night’s friendly against South Korea.
“When something happens, it affects all of us — not just the players, but the whole staff and everybody that’s here.
“We all feel it because we have a good connection to each other. What they did for me at that time was amazing and … for months after they continued to support me.”
The former South Sudanese refugee, who scored nine times in 50 games for the Reds from 2012-15, returned to Adelaide the day after his sister’s death to be with his grieving family.
But he was back in Denmark within a fortnight to link up with his club Midtjylland following its mid-season winter break.
“It’s been difficult because before that everything was just happening naturally,” the nine-cap Socceroo said.
“I was in a happy state of mind and just enjoying football. Then all of a sudden when I went back to Denmark, I’m playing the same but I wasn’t scoring or assisting as much as I was doing before.
“It’s almost like when things are going well they go really well, even the things you don’t mean. But when there’s an obstacle in the way, sometimes it takes a bit longer than expected to overcome it.
“I have overcome the obstacle now of holding myself back. I think I’m going to be achieving great things and all of it is going to be for Bor.”
A traumatic campaign finished on a triumphant note for Mabil, as he scored a penalty in Midtjylland’s shootout victory over Brondby to secure the club’s maiden Danish Cup.
His six strikes in 35 matches also earned him selection in Arnold’s experimental squad for the national team’s first outing since the Asian Cup.
Mabil, who arrived in Adelaide with his family aged 11, had been joined in camp by his ex-United colleague Craig Goodwin. He was also relishing linking up with SA-born Brandon Borrello and Thomas Deng, another ex-refugee to have grown up in Adelaide’s northern suburbs.
“It’s always nice to represent the people of South Australia,” said Mabil, a product of Football Federation SA’s National Training Centre.
“There’s many talents all over Australia and if you set up the right system, you can produce equally good players from every state. It’s really nice to know some familiar faces from Adelaide and also nice to see a lot of us here.
“The standard (in training) has been real high, because everyone wants to take their chances. You always have to give everything, because it’s a big honour to be representing your country.”
The clash would be Australia’s first preparatory step towards the opening round of World Cup qualifiers in September. Mabil, who spent the previous two seasons on loan at Danish rival Esbjerg fB and Paços de Ferreira in Portugal, said Qatar 2022 was his inspiration in challenging times.
“It would be such a dream come true to go all the way to the World Cup,” the 2014 FFA Cup winner said.
“Every player wants to put their hand up to be able to do that. I’ll do everything and work hard to make sure I’m available for it.
“I’m really excited for what’s to come.”
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