Massud Habibullah: Interview with the Golden Boot winner

With the League1BC season approaching we are interviewing some of the league’s biggest stars before the 2024 campaign kicks off in the spring. Massud Habibullah has proven to be one of the best acquisitions the TSS Rovers made in the 2023 season. He left Kinsmen to go to Swangard after a 5-goal season in the Altitude sky blue. In 2023 Massud found the back of the net 8 times to win the League1BC Golden Boot award. While the Rovers didn’t win any silverware in 2023, he proved to be an important piece in a very solid season. This short Q and A asks him about his experience in the league and his goals for 2024. 

The Rovers lost away to the Victoria Highlanders on the final day of the 2023 regular season

Q: To start off, will we see you in a Rovers kit in 2024? 

A: Yes definitely if I play another season of L1BC then yes, (I) want to win that golden boot back-to-back. 

Massud on the ball during the 2023 Semifinal

Q: Where do you think League1BC stands when it comes to player development in the province 

A: I think there is a great opportunity for players to advance to the next level with the system we have in the province. There is a lot of talent locally that can play at the CPL level given the right opportunity. 

Massud played in the historic 3-1 win over Valour last year

Q: You won the League1BC Golden Boot last season. Any piece of silverware that you specifically have your eye on going into 2024? 

A: I want to win the golden boot again and win my first League 1 title. That was my goal last year. We were close but it didn’t happen. I’m sure this year we have the quality to win the league. 

Habibullah silences the crowd in a 4-2 win over Unity in 2022

Q: You're one of the few players in the league to have played for multiple clubs in the league. How would you compare how they both operated during your seasons at each club? 

A: I enjoyed my time with both clubs, and I appreciate both clubs taking me in to play because I wasn’t sure I was going to return to football. My first season was my return to football, so I am grateful for that. I knew TSS would give me the platform to get to the next level, but I appreciate my time at both clubs. 

Massud opened the scoring against the Victoria Highlanders on the final day of the season

Q: As the league’s top scorer, which team had the hardest defence to penetrate in 2023? 

A: It helped training with the Rovers because I think we had some of the best defenders in the league, so I felt prepared going up against any of the teams which helped me a lot with my game