News Focus
- Awer Mabil says an authentic team video touched fans because it showed real, unedited stories.
- The forward grew up in a Kenyan refugee camp before moving to Australia as a child.
- He now acts as a mentor to younger players like Nestory Irankunda and Mo Touré.
- The Socceroos squad includes four players who arrived in Australia as refugees.
- Mabil sent a message of hope to displaced people during global Refugee Week.
Socceroos winger Awer Mabil briefly lost his focus during a media session in Oakland this week. The 30-year-old stopped mid-answer when he spotted David Basheer, a famous commentator from Australian broadcaster SBS.
“Sorry, are you David from SBS?” Mabil asked. “I watched you when I was young.” The room filled with laughter. Mabil explained that he grew up watching football highlights on free television. Basheer’s show, The World Game, gave him his first taste of global football from his home in Adelaide.
The Kenyan-born star is one of four current Socceroos players who came to Australia as refugees. He was born in a camp in Kenya to parents from South Sudan. This background forms part of a viral video that the team released before their recent matches.
The clip shows players speaking about their roots and their pride in the national shirt. Mabil believes it spread quickly across social media because it felt genuine. “It was raw footage. Nobody edited our words. We simply shared our true feelings,” he said. “People across Australia could see their own family stories in ours.”
The video gained extra attention after Nestory Irankunda scored against Turkey. Irankunda, another former refugee from Africa, celebrated with passion. Mabil has taken the young striker under his wing along with fellow Adelaide-raised player Mo Touré. “I try to be like a big brother to them,” Mabil stated. “I protect them when needed, but I also let them express themselves.”
His comments come during global Refugee Week. Mabil used the moment to thank Australia for giving his family a home. He also sent a message to displaced children worldwide. “We stand with you,” he declared. “If you see us on the world stage, remember that anything is possible. Keep fighting for your dreams.”