Inayat Nawaz Eyes Shabab Al Ahli Move as United Lead UAE First Division
Inayat Nawaz, United’s goalkeeper born in Al Ain, eyes a future move to Shabab Al Ahli while focusing on helping his UAE First Division side secure promotion this season.
United sit top with promotion in sight
United currently lead the UAE First Division (amateur) with 56 points and are in prime position to secure promotion. Coach and players say the squad needs a win and a draw from its remaining three fixtures to clinch a place in the professional ranks. The team has tightened defensively in recent matches, a factor that goalkeeper Inayat Nawaz credits for their strong standing.
Inayat Nawaz’s Shabab Al Ahli ambition
Despite his clear commitment to United, Inayat Nawaz did not hide his long-term ambition to join the youth ranks of Shabab Al Ahli. He described that aspiration as a career objective to be pursued after achieving immediate goals with his current club. Nawaz stressed that his present focus remains firmly on helping United complete the promotion push.
Early years: from cricket to football
Nawaz’s sporting path began with cricket, the most popular sport in Pakistan and parts of South Asia, and he took part in UAE representative cricket before switching codes. The transition to football came gradually, with Nawaz making his debut season in 2018–19 for United. That early sporting diversity, he says, helped build his athletic instincts and competitive temperament.
Grassroots struggle and self-made development
Nawaz openly recounted a difficult start in football, including three years playing without pay purely out of passion for the game. His first contractual wage after moving into the amateur First Division was 2,500 dirhams, an amount he described as meager but meaningful at the time. For four seasons he trained without a specialist goalkeeping coach and often practised barefoot on sand, learning to develop techniques and resilience on his own.
Teammates and leadership on and off the pitch
Nawaz praised the experience and skill of veteran teammate Habib Al Fardan, calling him the standout player in the First Division for his influence during matches. He also highlighted Senegalese colleague Mustafa Nam as a key member of the squad, and said the group’s unity has been central to United’s results. The goalkeeper credited senior players for setting standards that younger squad members can emulate.
Andrea Pirlo’s influence at United
Nawaz singled out United’s coach, Andrea Pirlo, for tactical acumen and a clear coaching philosophy that has benefited the team. He described Pirlo as a thoughtful strategist who has raised training standards and tactical awareness at the club. The Italian coach’s presence, Nawaz believes, has helped bridge the gap between amateur structures and the professional demands the club must meet to succeed.
Role models and personal motivation
Born in Al Ain and proud of his local roots, Nawaz named national goalkeeper Khalid Issa as a domestic role model while identifying Gianluigi Buffon as his global idol. Those influences, he says, shaped his approach to the position and his dedication to continual improvement. Nawaz’s story—moving from an unpaid amateur to a leading First Division goalkeeper—drives his determination to reach higher levels in UAE football.
What comes next: fixtures, focus and timeframe
With three matches remaining in the campaign, United’s immediate calendar is clear and their targets are finite: secure the necessary points and prepare for the step up if promotion is achieved. Nawaz emphasised the importance of maintaining focus and avoiding complacency as the season reaches its climax. The club’s priority is to convert their current form into results and to ready the squad for the demands of professional competition.
United’s promotion push has given Inayat Nawaz a platform to showcase both his talent and resilience. He remains outwardly ambitious about joining Shabab Al Ahli one day, but for now his loyalty and energy are concentrated on delivering promotion for United and continuing his steady development between the posts.