Awer Mabil


Awer Bul Mabil is an Australian professional footballer of South Sudanese descent who plays as a winger for FC Midtjylland.
Born in Kenya, Mabil played youth football at the South Australian National Training Centre and with Adelaide United. He made his senior debut for Campbelltown City, before making his debut in the A-League for Adelaide United in 2013.

Early life

Mabil was born to South Sudanese parents in Kakuma, located in northwestern Kenya. He and his family lived in the Kakuma Refugee Camp until 2006 when they moved to Australia. He began playing football at the camp at around the age of 5, stating: "We would just go outside and start kicking around. It was not structured and there was little else to do."

Club career

Adelaide United

Mabil was signed by Adelaide United in the A-League in 2012 from Campbelltown City in the FFSA National Premier League after Mabil had displayed a number of performances showing his pace and dribbling skills to outwit many defenders in the FFSA National Premier League. Mabil made his Adelaide United senior debut on 11 January 2013 in a 2012–13 A-League match against Perth Glory. He scored his first goal in a 2–1 away loss to Wellington Phoenix in Round 17 of the 2013–14 A-League season, after coming on as a substitute in the second half.

FC Midtjylland

In July 2015, Mabil secured a move to Danish Superliga club, FC Midtjylland for a reported transfer fee in excess of AU$1,300,000
Awer Mabil made his Danish Superliga debut for FC Midtjylland on 16 October 2015 against Randers FC at the MCH Arena in Herning as an 83rd-minute substitute for Daniel Royer.
On 22 October 2015, Mabil made his UEFA Europa League debut at home to Napoli, coming on for Mikkel Duelund in the 73rd minute.

Loan to Esbjerg fB

In August 2016, Mabil was loaned to Esbjerg fB to allow him to get more game time and develop. Mabil made his debut on 8 August 2016, starting the match against AGF but was sent off in the 44th minute. Esbjerg was relegated to the Danish 1st Division, and Esbjerg announced that Mabil was one of nine players who would be leaving the club.

Loan to Paços de Ferreira

In July 2017, Mabil was loaned to Paços de Ferreira to allow him further first-team opportunities. Paços de Ferreira were relegated at the end of the 2017–18 Primeira Liga season, however Mabil impressed while on loan scoring twice and providing a further 3 assists in 26 league appearances.

Return to FC Midtjylland

Mabil made a bright start upon his return to Denmark, scoring a goal and registering two assists in his first six appearances for the season. On 11 November, Mabil scored two and set a further two up in Midtjyllands 5-0 win over Vejle BK, taking his season tally to four goals and eight assists.

International career

In August 2013, Mabil was called up by Australia for COTIF Tournament in L'Alcúdia, Spain. The tournament was used by the FFA to prepare players for their successful 2014 AFC U-19 Championship qualification campaign.
In March 2014, he was cleared by FIFA to play for Australia after a year-long process to obtain a birth certificate and gain exemption from FIFA eligibility rules.
He featured for Australia in the 2014 AFC U-19 Championship, playing in all three of their games, the opponents were Uzbekistan, United Arab Emirates and Indonesia.
After showing impressive form with FC Midtjylland, Mabil was called up to the senior team for the first time. Participating in the Socceroos first training camp under new coach Graham Arnold.
On 16 October 2018 Mabil made his senior Australian debut against Kuwait in an international friendly match at the Al Kuwait Sports Club Stadium. Mabil came on as a second half substitution for Mathew Leckie and scored his maiden goal for the senior national team in the 88th minute to give Australia their fourth and final goal in a 4–0 win over Kuwait in Graham Arnold’s first match of his second stint with the Australian national team. Mabil’s goal was assisted by Tomi Juric and Thomas Deng. Mabil celebrated the goal with childhood friend and fellow South Sudanese refugee Deng, who was also making his international debut for Australia. Awer dedicated the goal, post-match, to his mother.

Career statistics

Club

International

International goals

. Australia score listed first, score column indicates score after each of his goal.
NoDateVenueCapOpponentScoreResultCompetition
116 October 2018Al Kuwait Sports Club Stadium, Kuwait City, Kuwait14–04–0Friendly
230 December 2018Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates43–05–0Friendly
311 January 2019Rashid Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates62–03–02019 AFC Asian Cup
415 January 2019Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates71–03–22019 AFC Asian Cup

Honours

Club

;Adelaide United
;Midtjylland