Will Negeri Sembilan finally challenge for the top spot?
One of the team that troubled all of their opponents in the early 2012 season when Jean-Emmanuel Effa Owona introduced himself to Malaysian fans with two goals against Kelantan that eventually secured 2012 Charity Shield title, the first in 27 years. Since then, there were high expectations that Negeri Sembilan might challenge for the top spot in the Super League and possibly winning it gloriously. But a sudden downturn in form and performances of the team, a shock FA Cup first round exit to Johor FC and were not able to retain Malaysia Cup after losing to the eventual finalist ATM in quarter-final round. While Effa Owona banging on goals for fun, he made the headlines for a wrong reason as well, after a series of controversies surrounding the temperamental Cameroonian striker. Its difficult to assess how Negeri Sembilan campaign ended up with failure, but a lack of experience, quality and consistency might be the real reason. This season they will keen to put 2012 season behind, as they added more experience player with the likes of Hamsani Ahmad, Fauzi Nan, Eddy Helmi, and Alafi Mahmud. Emanuel De Porras will lead the attack as he replaced Effa Owona who left to join the East Coast side Terengganu while William Paul Modibo filling in Marian Farbak's place in the heart of the defence. On the other hand, they will missed Farizal Marlias who joined Perak, S. Kunanlan to Selangor and Shukor Adan to newly promoted side ATM who became their most valuable players since winning Malaysia Cup twice in three years. They will now have to content with the player they have in the disposal as they will lead by Portuguese head coach, Divaldo Alves who previously managed Persebaya 1927, Minangkabau and Persijap. If Negeri Sembilan were to achieve successful campaign, they will need the performance of Shakir Ali and Shahurain Abu Samah to gear up the team ahead in Malaysia Super League.
Key Player: Fauzi Nan, Norhafiz Zamani Misbah, Idris Karim, Shahurain Abu Samah, Shakir Ali
Young Talented Player: Shakir Ali, Halim Zainal, Firdaus Azizul, Muszaki Abu Bakar
2012 season: Finished 6th in Malaysia Super League
Team Status Chances: Top half finish