Monday, 8 July 2013 7:28 PM
South Melbourne FC is pleased to announce that Iqbal (Iqi) Jawadi (pictured) and Nicholas Epifano have joined the Club during the mid-season transfer window. Both players arrive from Dandenong Thunder and will renew acquaintances with their former coach Chris Taylor at Lakeside Stadium.
Iqi Jawadi arrives at the Club having played a large part of Dandenong Thunder’s treble-winning season in 2012. The central midfielder is known for his hard running and for his ability to win the ball and will be a welcome addition in the middle of the park. Perhaps more remarkable is his personal story, with the young man having been born and then fleeing war-torn Afghanistan (at four years of age) with his family to pursue a new life firstly in India and then Australia. His single mother and her five children struggled with living in New Delhi before eventually finding themselves in Melbourne . Ironically, Jawadi never really played football until arriving in Australia but once he started he was given a chance by Taylor firstly in the Victorian state team and then finally at Dandenong Thunder. He played in all 25 League games for Dandenong Thunder last season (scoring one goal) and also was part of the team that won the State Knockout Cup after defeating Port Melbourne 5-4 on penalties. He has played 11 matches this season.
Nicholas Epifano arrives at Lakeside Stadium having played nine matches with the Thunder this season, scoring one goal. He arrives with the reputation of being an attacking player who beats players on the flanks. Prior to playing for Dandenong this season, Epifano played with the Melbourne Heart in the National Youth League. In the match that South played against Dandenong at George Andrews Reserve earlier this season (27 April), Epifano was the player that got behind the South defence on the left side before firing in a low cross that resulted in Shaun Kelly’s own goal. That goal opened the scoring for the Thunder in a game they eventually won 3-0.
South Melbourne FC welcomes Iqi Jawadi and Nicholas Epifano to the Club and wishes them the best for the rest of this season.