Player Type: DEFENDERS
Nationality: Spanish
DOB/Age: 21 November 1991 (32)
Previous Clubs: Real Betis C (2010-2011), Real Betis (2011-2013), Elche B (2013-2014), Cartagena (2014), San Roque (2014-2015), Villanovense (2015-2016), Caudal (2016-2017), Ceres-Negros (2017-2020), Lanzarote (2020), Nagaworld (2021-2022)
A vocal presence and a natural leader, Manuel Herrera López adds depth and stability to the Sailors’ backline alongside the likes of Lionel Tan and Hariss Harun.
Nicknamed Súper, the experienced centre-back joined the club in March 2023, linking up with Risto Vidaković for a third time after working together at Spain’s Real Betis B and Philippines side Ceres-Negros. It was during that latter spell that they worked in tandem to deliver three straight domestic titles between 2017 to 2019 and also helped the club become ASEAN zone champions in the 2017 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup.
After spending the last two years in Cambodia with Nagaworld FC, Súper is relishing another opportunity to make his mark in Southeast Asian football.
Nationality: Singaporean
DOB/Age: 28 November 1992 (31)
Previous Clubs: Tampines Rovers (2014, 2016, 2022), LionsXII (2015), Young Lions (2016), Home United (2017-2018), Geylang International (2019-2021)
Comfortable with either foot and on either flank, Chris’ versatility makes him a quality acquisition for the Sailors ahead of the 2023 campaign. The self-professed late bloomer has come a long way since making his name in local football reality TV series, FirstXI, in 2014.
He flourished for LionsXII in the 2015 Malaysia Super League, grew into a dependable first-team player over the years for various clubs, before a standout 2022 campaign for Tampines saw him become one of the first names on the team sheet for the Singapore National Team. Chris is undoubtedly at the peak of his powers now, as he lines up for the Sailors’ charge for the Singapore Premier League title.
Nationality: Singaporean
DOB/Age: 22 August 1988 (35)
Previous Clubs: Tanjong Pagar United (2011, 2012-2013), Home United (2012, 2018-2019), Geylang International (2014-2015), Warriors FC (2016-2017)
Well-known as a speed merchant, Hafiz forged himself a reputation as a dangerous and tricky winger in his younger days. He has since done well to transform himself into a steady and committed full-back, who is capable of putting in crunching tackles as well as whipping in dangerous crosses from his flank.
Now the senior statesman at the Sailors, Hafiz is still going strong and enjoys the opportunity to impart his knowledge to the younger ones at the club.
Nationality: Singaporean
DOB/Age: 8 September 2001 (22)
Previous Clubs: Young Lions (2020-2021)
A lanky defender with excellent physical attributes and is composed on the ball, Bill is highly-rated and has the potential to go far. First called up to train with Home United’s – the former iteration of the Sailors – first team in 2017 when he was three months shy of his 16th birthday, the youngster made his debut for the Protectors two years later.
After two seasons with Young Lions in 2020 and 2021, Bill – son of former Singapore international Bah Mamadou – impressed towards the tail-end of the 2022 season for the Sailors and is bent on carrying where he left off for this campaign.
Nationality: Singaporean
DOB/Age: 29 March 1998 (25)
Previous Clubs: Young Lions (2016-2019, 2021-2022)
A modern-day full-back who is aggressive in the tackle and excels in making forward runs to support the attack, Zulqarnaen is an asset at both ends of the pitch. Part of the Sailors’ squad in the club’s inaugural season in 2020, he returned to play for Young Lions for one and a half seasons where he furthered his development and is now a Singapore national team regular.
Now back as a Sailor and free from National Service obligations, Zulqarnaen is yearning to put in more consistent performances to make the right-back spot at the club his own.
Nationality: Singaporean
DOB/Age: 13 February 1997 (26)
Previous Clubs: Arion, Police Sports Association, Home United
It was watching her football-loving father play in matches with his friends that first sparked Munirah’s curiosity about the sport, a spark that was fuelled by children’s football programmes and grew into a bright flame that saw other sports like badminton pale in comparison.
The sturdy defender has gone on to play for the likes of Arion, Police Sports Association and Home United – the previous iteration of the Lion City Sailors – before finally playing a crucial role for the Sailors Women in a memorable unbeaten title-winning campaign in 2022.
Nationality: Singaporean
DOB/Age: 21 February 2003 (20)
Previous Clubs: South Avenue SC
Playing at the void deck with her brothers at the age of nine sparked Khairunnisa’s love for football, and she went on to represent Singapore at various age-group levels, and eventually earned a call up to the senior National Team.
She may be tiny in size, but she more than makes it up with her heart and grit on the pitch. An adept reader of the game, she executes her tackles both aggressively and effectively on the right side of defence.
As someone who juggles her school commitments and part-time work with football, Nisa is hoping that her sacrifices and perseverance pay off as she continues to cement herself as a first-team regular for club and country.
Nationality: Singaporean
DOB/Age: 20 December 2001 (22)
Previous Clubs: Aerion FC
Having finished top scorer with eight Pannas to help the Sailors win the inaugural FAS Women’s Panna Challenge in 2020, Syazwani is blessed with skill and ball control. But playing as a defender, she has since worked on adding a touch of steel to her game by becoming more aggressive in 1v1 situations and committing to challenges.
Inspired by her football-loving dad, Syazwani picked up the sport at the age of five and honed her skills at Admiralty CSC. Syazwani simply cannot live without football – she is often found either kicking the ball in her home or just juggling whenever she has some free time.
Nationality: Singaporean
DOB/Age: 11 March 2002 (21)
Previous Clubs: South Avenue CSC
Sporting a scar on her forehead due to an old head injury, Umairah’s commitment and love for the Beautiful Game is clear.
A no-nonsense centre-back who wears her heart on her sleeve, the youngster models her game after Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk and is inspired to lead her team in a similar fashion.
Picking up the game at the age of five when she joined her brothers in a small community football club, Umairah never looked back, going on to play for her primary and secondary schools.
Her recipe for success is calming herself down with deep breathing and visualising how she plays in the dressing room before the game begins.
Nationality: Singaporean
DOB/Age: 11 June 1994 (29)
Previous Clubs: Arion FC, H20/ITE Dream Team, Tanjong Pagar United FC
Having started out as a midfielder, Fatin is now most comfortable as a defender, because she relishes the feeling of not letting anyone get past her backline and helping the team keep a clean sheet. Her assured reading of the game and leadership at the back was crucial in helping the Sailors keep numerous clean sheets in the 2022 WPL title-winning season.
Weekly void deck football sessions with her cousins led to her developing a passion for the sport as she began to play more seriously at the age of 17 at the junior college level.
Now more than 10 years into the game, her determination to succeed remains strong as ever. Fatin’s pre-match routine is wildly specific – she must consume a banana, some black coffee and three dates one hour before the game begins.
