Sabah F.C. (Malaysia)

{{Short description|Malaysian football club}} {{About|the Malaysian professional football club|the Azerbaijan professional football club|Sabah FC (Azerbaijan)}} {{EngvarB|date=July 2023}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2023}} {{Infobox football club | nickname = The Rhinos | clubname = Sabah | image = Sabah_Football_Club_(Malaysia).png | upright = 1 | fullname = Sabah Football Club | founded = {{start date and age|df=yes|1950}}, as ''North Borneo Football Association''<br>{{start date and age|df=yes|2021}}, as ''Sabah Football Club'' (officially owned by Sabah Football Club Sdn Bhd.)<ref name="privatisation">{{cite web|url=https://www.goal.com/en-my/news/all-malaysian-league-clubs-complete-initial-privatisation/|title=All Malaysian league clubs complete initial privatisation process, seven receive conditional licence|last=Zainal|first=Zulhilmi|work=Goal.com|date=6 October 2020|access-date=25 November 2020}}</ref> | ground = Likas Stadium | capacity = 35,000<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fussballtempel.net/afc/listeafc.html|title=Football stadiums of the world – Stadiums in Asia [Likas Stadium]|work=Fussball Tempel|access-date=16 March 2018}}</ref> | owner = Sabah Football Club Sdn Bhd<ref>{{cite web|url=https://businessreport.ctoscredit.com.my/oneoffreport/single-report/malaysia-company/1383683U/SABAH-FOOTBALL-CLUB-SDN.-BHD.|title=SABAH FOOTBALL CLUB SDN BHD CTOS|website=CTOS|access-date=9 September 2020}}</ref> | chrtitle = CEO | chairman = YB Datuk Ir. Shahelmey bin Yahya | mgrtitle = Head coach | manager = Juan Torres Garrido | league = Malaysia Super League | season = 2024–25 | position = Malaysia Super League, 3rd of 13 | current = 2025–26 Sabah F.C. season | pattern_la1 = _SABAH2526H | pattern_la2 = _SABAH2526A | pattern_la3 = | pattern_b1 = _SABAH2526H | pattern_b2 = _SABAH2526A | pattern_b3 = | pattern_ra1 = _SABAH2526H | pattern_ra2 = _SABAH2526A | pattern_ra3 = | pattern_sh1 = _SABAH2526H | pattern_sh2 = _SABAH2526A | pattern_sh3 = | pattern_so1 = | pattern_so2 = | pattern_so3 = | leftarm1 = | leftarm2 = | leftarm3 = | body1 = | body2 = | body3 = | rightarm1 = | rightarm2 = | rightarm3 = | shorts1 = | shorts2 = | shorts3 = | socks1 = 000 | socks2 = FFF | socks3 = | website = {{URL|https://sabah-fc.com/}} }}

'''Sabah Football Club''' ({{langx|ms|Kelab Bolasepak Sabah}}) is a Malaysian professional football club owned by the Sabah Football Club Sdn Bhd. The club represents the state of Sabah in Borneo, and competes in the Malaysia Super League, the top tier of Malaysian football. Their home matches are played at the 35,000-capacity Likas Stadium in Kota Kinabalu, the capital city of Sabah.

Sabah FA (at that time) won the Malaysia FA Cup in 1995, the Malaysian Premier League (top tier) in 1996, the Malaysia Premier League (second tier) in 2019, and also won the MFL Challenge Cup in 2026 as Sabah FC.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://businessreport.ctoscredit.com.my/oneoffreport/single-report/malaysia-company/1383683U/SABAH-FOOTBALL-CLUB-SDN.-BHD.|title=SABAH FOOTBALL CLUB SDN BHD CTOS|website=CTOS|access-date=9 September 2020}}</ref> In 1995, Sabah FA also advanced to the second round of the Asian Cup Winners' Cup after defeating An Giang of V. League 3–1 on aggregate. They lost to Bellmare Hiratsuka (now Shonan Bellmare) of J1 League 1–7 on aggregate.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://businessreport.ctoscredit.com.my/oneoffreport/single-report/malaysia-company/1383683U/SABAH-FOOTBALL-CLUB-SDN.-BHD.|title=SABAH FOOTBALL CLUB SDN BHD CTOS|website=CTOS|access-date=9 September 2020}}</ref>

Until 2021, Sabah FA, also known as Sabah FA State Football Team, was one of the 14 state teams in the Malaysian football system. It was funded and managed by the SAFA. However, the Malaysian football league mandated that all the top two leagues must be professional, leading to the privatisation of SAFA and officially owned by a private company named Sabah Football Club Sdn Bhd, proceeded to renamed the club as "Sabah Football Club".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://businessreport.ctoscredit.com.my/oneoffreport/single-report/malaysia-company/1383683U/SABAH-FOOTBALL-CLUB-SDN.-BHD.|title=SABAH FOOTBALL CLUB SDN BHD CTOS|website=CTOS|access-date=9 September 2020}}</ref>

== History == [[File:1962 Borneo Cup Winner, North Borneo.jpg|thumb|350px|right|A photo of the North Borneo football team who were winners of the first edition of the Borneo Cup tournament in 1962, just one year before the formation of the Federation of Malaysia in which the team's homeland North Borneo became a part of the country in 1963. The North Borneo territory also changed its name to the Malaysian region of Sabah after the formation of the country and the team followed suit by changing its name to the Sabah FA State Football Team.]]

From the 1950s until 1963, Sabah competed as North Borneo football team in the Borneo Cup together with Sarawak football team and Brunei national football team.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesb/borneocup.html|title=Borneo Cup|last=Morrison|first=Neil|work=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation|date=31 March 2011|access-date=16 March 2018}}</ref> Following the formation of the Federation of Malaysia, the North Borneo Football Association (NBFA) changed its name to Sabah Football Association (Sabah FA). Sabah qualify into the Malaysia Cup for the first time in 1977 and enter the competition in 1978.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesm/malay78.html|title=Malaysia 1978|work=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation|date=29 February 2012|access-date=16 March 2018}}</ref>

=== Amateur and semi-pro era === [[File:Manchester United vs Sabah Invitation Poster (10th June 1981).jpg|thumb|upright|A friendly match poster between Sabah Invitation and Manchester United on 10 June 1981.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iloveborneo.my/sabah-vs-manchester-united-1980-kisah-perlawanan-bola-sepak-bersejarah/|title=Sabah VS Manchester United 1980, Kisah Perlawanan Bola Sepak Bersejarah|trans-title=Sabah VS Manchester United 1980, The Story of a Historic Football Match|last=Afifah|first=Nur|language=Ms|work=IloveBorneo.my|date=8 May 2022|access-date=7 December 2023}}</ref>]]

Sabah was a well known team during the Malaysian football amateur and semi-pro era and produced many quality players, namely the trio of James Wong, Hassan Sani and Peter Rajah.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/10/24/a-firm-bond-between-legends-exfootballers-closer-than-ever-beyond-the-pitch/|title=A firm bond between legends|last=Joibi|first=Natasha|work=The Star|date=24 October 2017|access-date=16 March 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bharian.com.my/node/222556|title=Peter Rajah manfaatkan skil bola keranjang kawal gawang skuad kebangsaan|trans-title=Peter Rajah uses his basketball skills to control the national team's goalpost|last=Unnip Abdullah|first=Mohd Izham|language=ms|work=Berita Harian|date=11 December 2016|access-date=16 March 2018}}</ref> These players led Sabah to become one of Malaysian football's most feared teams during the 80's. One fine example was during the 1979 Malaysian League where Sabah started slowly. After a run of 8 matches, they stood with 3 wins, 2 draws and 3 losses, but during the later stages they stepped up by winning all remaining matches, most of them by huge margins including an incredible 8–0 thrashing of Sarawak, 11–0 hammering of Perak and the 6–1 beating of Terengganu. At the end of the season, Sabah finished as runners-up behind Singapore and became the highest scoring team with 49 goals in 12 games.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/3714/soccer.html|title=Rhinos Online: Malaysia Premier League 1996|work=Rhinos Online|access-date=21 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091021055838/http://geocities.com/TheTropics/3714/soccer.html|archive-date=21 October 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 1991, Sabah striker Matlan Marjan became the first Malaysian to score a double against England in 'A' international matches.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.englandfc.com/MatchData/yearbyyear.php?start=1990&end=1995&gender=M&level=FULL.|title=Malaysia [2] v [4] England|work=England FC|date=12 June 1991|access-date=16 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080216111255/http://www.englandfc.com/MatchData/yearbyyear.php?start=1990&end=1995&gender=M&level=FULL.|archive-date=16 February 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Professional era === When professional football was introduced by Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), Sabah made a reputation of being one of the Malaysian League's most competitive sides. Quality players were produced from the ranks during the 1990s, most notably Matlan who helped Sabah finish as runners-up during 1993 and 1994 Malaysia FA Cup, and who at one time was appointed as the national team captain by Claude Le Roy. The positive results were cut short by the match fixing scandal in 1994. Matlan was the one of several players found guilty. As a punishment for their involvement in match fixing, he and the other players were banned for life by FIFA and banished from the state of Sabah under the Restricted Residence Act.<ref>{{cite book|title=Malaysian Business|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7pG0AAAAIAAJ|year=1996|publisher=[New Straits Times Press (Malaysia])}}</ref> After the scandal, Sabah began its rebuilding process. Sabah won their first professional trophy, the FA Cup 1995. In the 1996 season, Sabah won their first league title and went through to the final of the Cup for the first time, but were beaten by Selangor on penalties. Sabah then reached the final of the 1998 Malaysia FA Cup.<ref name="Leighton 2016">{{cite book|last=Leighton|first=J.|title=Rocky: The Tears and Triumphs of David Rocastle|publisher=Simon & Schuster UK|year=2016|isbn=978-1-4711-5333-4|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YrlVCgAAQBAJ|access-date=16 December 2023}}</ref> The 2000 season could be considered as Sabah's worst since joining the Malaysian professional league as they were relegated to the second division, and could not get past the group stages of the Malaysia Cup. However, Sabah quickly regained its performance in the 2001 season where they finished as runners-up behind Johor FC.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesm/malay01.html|title=Malaysia 2001|author1=Ian Griffiths|author2=Mohd Rashidan|work=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation|date=3 February 2002|access-date=16 March 2018}}</ref> In the 2002 season, Sabah was lining up players of calibre such as Zainizam Marjan, Khairul Azman Mohamed and Josiah Seton, finishing third in the league and again managed to get through to the final of Malaysia Cup by beating Selangor Public Bank and Perak. Sabah however finished as runners-up yet again by losing to the same team that beat them in 1996 final, Selangor. This time, Sabah lost by golden goal scored by Amri Yahyah.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNupViLBgtU |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211219/rNupViLBgtU |archive-date=19 December 2021 |url-status=live|title=Amri Yahyah Golden Boy|last=Nanana|first=Nang|via=YouTube|date=29 June 2007|access-date=21 June 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In 2003, Sabah again finished third in Liga Premier One. They reached the final of Malaysia Cup. This time they lost to club-side MPPJ by 0–3, with hat-trick from Juan Manuel Arostegui.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesm/malay03.html|title=Malaysia 2003|last=Saaid|first=Hamdan|work=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation|date=17 February 2004|access-date=16 March 2018}}</ref>

=== Early years in the Malaysian Super League === When the Malaysia Super League (MSL) was introduced in 2004, Sabah struggled to be competitive against other teams in the top league. Sabah only managed to stay in Super League for two seasons as they were relegated to the Malaysia Premier League (MPL) in 2005. After the relegation, Sabah continued to struggle for promotion. They lost to Pahang in the 2007 season play-off.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesm/malay06.html|title=Malaysia 2006|last=Saaid|first=Hamdan|work=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation|date=31 July 2008|access-date=16 March 2018}}</ref>

=== All local players seasons === After 6 years in the 2nd tier MPL, Australian head coach Gary Phillips was able to guide Sabah to promotion in 2010 in his first season in charge.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pressreader.com/malaysia/the-borneo-post-sabah/20161104/281968902246911|title=Local coach only for Sabah Premier League squad|last=Jaafar|first=Arfandi|work=The Borneo Post|via=PressReader|date=4 November 2016|access-date=16 March 2018}}</ref> After poor results which have affected Sabah's performance in 2011, Gary Phillips was replaced by local head coach Justin Ganai to save Sabah from relegation zone.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pressreader.com/malaysia/berita-harian5831/20170325/282673277151139|title=Usah lupa jasa besar Justin Ganai|trans-title=Never forget Justin Ganai's great contribution|language=ms|work=Berita Harian|via=PressReader|date=25 March 2017|access-date=16 March 2018}}</ref> Justin improved Sabah performance in the 2011 Malaysia Cup where the team reached the quarter-finals. He was retained as for the 2012 season but step down eventually. Sabah got relegated back to the Malaysia Premier League after losing to Kedah. Salt was added to the wound as the relegation was followed by them failing to qualify to the group stage of the 2012 Malaysia Cup.

=== Foreign players return === Sabah started their 2013 season back in the Malaysia Premier League as their main defenders Ronny Harun and Mafry Balang left and Rozaimi Abdul Rahman was loaned out to Harimau Muda A. 2013 season was led by Northern Irishman head coach David McCreery and they end up in 5th place, but lost the Malaysia Cup play-off 0–4 to Negeri Sembilan at Shah Alam Stadium. McCreery left at the end of the season. The year 2014 saw a major changes in the team's sponsorship by which local brand Carino was signed as their kit supplier and Ararat Sports plus BSA as their sponsor. During this season, former Sabah player Milomir Šešlija become their head coach, replacing McCreery in the hot seat.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pressreader.com/malaysia/the-borneo-post/20131203/282428461984272|title=Sabah appoint Milomir Seslija as coach|work=The Borneo Post|via=PressReader|date=3 December 2013|access-date=16 March 2018}}</ref> They finished 8th out of 12 in the MPL, missed the Malaysia Cup group stage for third consecutive seasons and also got out of the FA Cup in the early stage.

[[File:El Hadji Diouf.jpg|thumb|305x305px|Former Liverpool and Senegal player, El Hadji Diouf played for Sabah from 2014 to 2015.]]

Just after 2014 season finished, another major change was made by which George O'Callaghan was signed as their technical director. Sabah FA successfully signed twice African 'Player of The Year' El Hadji Diouf and his compatriot Abdoulaye Faye, followed by Irish-born Libyan footballer, Éamon Zayed and Singaporean Fazrul Nawaz.<ref name="diouf">{{cite web|url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/2015/09/diouf-flies-sabah-trials|title=Diouf flies in for Sabah trials|last=Goh|first=Roy|work=New Straits Times|date=12 November 2014|access-date=16 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180316122824/https://www.nst.com.my/news/2015/09/diouf-flies-sabah-trials|archive-date=16 March 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=94451|title=Another former EPL player joins Sabah|work=Daily Express|date=4 December 2014|access-date=16 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180316230927/http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=94451|archive-date=16 March 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/eamon-zayed-didnt-expect-end-4894789|title=Eamon Zayed: I didn't expect to end up in Malaysia playing beside El Hadji Diouf|last=O'Hehir|first=Paul|work=Irish Mirror|date=30 December 2014|access-date=16 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180316232018/https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/eamon-zayed-didnt-expect-end-4894789|archive-date=16 March 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=94613|title=Sabah rope in S'pore international|work=Daily Express|date=6 December 2014|access-date=16 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180316231138/http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=94613|archive-date=16 March 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> Fazrul and O'Callaghan were released early in the season few weeks before Malaysia Premier League kick off.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ww1.kosmo.com.my/kosmo/content.asp?y=2015&dt=0118&pub=Kosmo&sec=Sukan&pg=su_01.htm|title=Sabah singkir Callaghan, Fazrul|trans-title=Sabah gets rid of Callaghan, Fazrul|author1=Mustapa Lakawa|author2=Mohd Yunus Yakkub|language=ms|work=Kosmo!|date=18 January 2015|access-date=16 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180316233224/http://ww1.kosmo.com.my/kosmo/content.asp?y=2015&dt=0118&pub=Kosmo&sec=Sukan&pg=su_01.htm|archive-date=16 March 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.balls.ie/football/possibly-irish-manager-asia-gets-sacked-185785|title=Possibly The Only Irish Manager In Asia Has Been Sacked|last=Bolger|first=Daryl|work=Balls Media|date=19 January 2015|access-date=16 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180316232516/https://www.balls.ie/football/possibly-irish-manager-asia-gets-sacked-185785|archive-date=16 March 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> Fazrul was replaced by Joel Chianese during the mid-season transfer window, and O'Callaghan by Brisbane Roar ex-coach Mike Mulvey in February 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hmetro.com.my/node/39522|title=Joel Chianese pemain terbaru Sabah Rhinos|last=Ab Wahid|first=Erdiehazzuan|language=ms|work=Harian Metro|date=26 March 2015|access-date=16 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180316230511/https://www.hmetro.com.my/node/39522|archive-date=16 March 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/former-brisbane-roar-boss-mike-mulvey-begins-borneo-adventure-20150306-13xjiv.html|title=Former Brisbane Roar boss Mike Mulvey begins Borneo adventure|last=Dasey|first=Jason|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=6 March 2015|access-date=16 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180316122824/https://www.nst.com.my/news/2015/09/diouf-flies-sabah-trials|archive-date=16 March 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> Diouf's dissatisfaction grew with Sabah FA management plans,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=101125|title=Safa must have a clear vision|work=Daily Express|date=2 July 2015|access-date=16 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180316234240/http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=101125|archive-date=16 March 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> along with his dismissal during few of Sabah's matches thus allowing youngster Leopold Alphonso and Rawilson Batuil to play.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=101848|title=Diouf stripped of Rhinos captaincy|work=Daily Express|date=28 July 2015|access-date=16 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180316234417/http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=101848|archive-date=16 March 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> Promising start of 2015 season ended with disappointment at 7th place, missing Malaysia Cup automatic slot. TC Goh, Mulvey and big name players such as Diouf, Zayed, Faye, Chianese and Rozaimi Abdul Rahman left at the end of the season due to no contract renewal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=102971|title=Faye apologises to Sabah fans|work=Daily Express|date=7 September 2015|access-date=16 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180316233732/http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=102971|archive-date=16 March 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Asian and ASEAN player quota introduced === Following much efforts and various reorganisation made on the team, Sabah FA was crowned as the champion of the 2019 Malaysia Premier League for the first time since they last lifted the old first division title back in 1996.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news/137588/sabah-crowned-champs/|title=Sabah crowned champs|last=Oh|first=GL|work=Daily Express|date=10 July 2019|access-date=10 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190710051244/http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news/137588/sabah-crowned-champs/|archive-date=10 July 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> Having early secured various imports such as Brazilian Luiz Júnior, South Korean Park Tae-soo and Serbian Luka Milunović, Aguinaldo da Veiga, Ahmet Ataýew, Rodoljub Paunović and various local talents, the team was able to win 13 from a total of 19 matches, qualifying for the 2020 Malaysia Super League.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news/137476/tambadaus-promoted-to-super-league/|title=Tambadaus promoted to Super League|last=Oh|first=GL|work=Daily Express|date=7 July 2019|access-date=10 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190710053922/http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news/137476/tambadaus-promoted-to-super-league/|archive-date=10 July 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theborneopost.com/2019/07/10/sabah-premier-league-2019-champs/|title=Sabah Premier League 2019 champs|agency=Bernama|work=The Borneo Post|date=10 July 2019|access-date=10 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190710081231/https://www.theborneopost.com/2019/07/10/sabah-premier-league-2019-champs/|archive-date=10 July 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news/137795/sabah-celebrate-title-with-win/|title=Sabah celebrate title with win|last=Oh|first=GL|work=Daily Express|date=14 July 2019|access-date=14 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714071951/http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news/137795/sabah-celebrate-title-with-win/|archive-date=14 July 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Privatisation era === Starting from the 2021 season, all clubs competing in the Malaysia Super League must be privatised as required by the FAM.<ref name="privatisation"/> Sabah Football Club Sdn Bhd was formed in order to fulfill the condition. Verdon Bahanda was appointed as the chief executive officer (CEO) of the club on 12 November 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.borneotoday.net/verdon-bahanda-appointed-sabah-football-club-ceo/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114052237/https://www.borneotoday.net/verdon-bahanda-appointed-sabah-football-club-ceo/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=14 November 2020|title=Verdon Bahanda Appointed Sabah Football Club CEO|work=Borneo Today|date=14 November 2020|access-date=25 November 2020}}</ref> Therefore, Sabah FA was renamed to '''Sabah Football Club''' as the new club name, and the rhino once again became the official mascot of the club.<ref name="rhino">{{cite web|url=https://www.bharian.com.my/sukan/bola/2021/02/791142/sabah-fc-guna-semula-maskot-sang-badak|title=Sabah FC guna semula maskot Sang Badak|trans-title=Sabah FC reuse Rhino Mascot|last=Abdullah|first=Izwan|language=ms|work=Berita Harian|date=28 February 2021|access-date=12 May 2021}}</ref>

=== Return to AFC club competition === Sabah finished in third place of the 2022 Malaysia Super League, which saw them returning to the continental club competition since 1995–96 and making their debut in the 2023–24 AFC Cup in the group H with Haiphong, Hougang United and PSM Makassar. On 21 September, they played their first fixture against Hougang United in a 3–1 home win. In the next fixture, Sabah faced PSM Makassar away, where they won 5–0 with Saddil Ramdani bagging a hat-trick of assists. Their journey ended in the ASEAN Zonal semi-final, where they faced Macarthur FC and were ultimately defeated 0–3.

In preparation for the 2025–26 season, Sabah then sign New Zealand national team player Dane Ingham from Newcastle Jets and Dean Pelekanos from Western Sydney Wanderers. The club also sees themselves returning with Adidas as the club apparel partnership since 2016.

== Team image == In November 2020 following the privatisation of the club, Sabah displayed the club's new official logo which was chosen following a competition. During the time, Sabah Football Club Sdn Bhd in its statement informed that the logo was created by an individual named Firzaruddin Zainal Abiddin. Apart from fulfilling the design requirements, the logo was chosen by the most fans.<ref>{{cite web |date=24 November 2020 |title=Logo baharu Sabah FC |trans-title=Sabah FC new logo |url=https://www.hmetro.com.my/topic/arena/2020/11/645583/logo-baharu-sabah-fc |access-date=7 December 2023 |work=Bernama |language=ms |via=Harian Metro}}</ref>

== Stadiums == 400px|right|thumb|Likas Stadium, the home stadium for Sabah. * Likas Stadium - {{small|(official home stadium)}} * Penampang Stadium - {{small|(Sometimes)}} * Keningau Stadium - {{small|(Sometimes)}} * Sandakan Stadium - {{small|(Sometimes)}} * Tawau Stadium - {{small|(Sometimes)}}

'''Likas Stadium''' is the current official main home ground for Sabah. It has a capacity of 22,000, making it the 8th largest football stadium in Malaysia in terms of seating capacity. It has been the home stadium of Sabah since its opening in 1983.

== Kit manufacturers and main sponsors == Since 2004, many companies from outside of the State of Sabah sponsored Sabah Football Association and later sponsoring the Sabah Football Club Sdn Bhd since 2021. {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;margin-left:1em" |- ! style="background:red; color:white; border:2px solid blue;" |Season ! style="background:red; color:white; border:2px solid blue;" |Manufacturer ! style="background:red; color:white; border:2px solid blue;" |Main Sponsor |- |2004 | rowspan="6" |{{flagicon|FRA}} Line 7 |{{flagicon|MAS}} Dunhill |- |2005 |{{flagicon|MAS}} TM |- |2005–06 |{{flagicon|MAS}} TM Net |- |2006–07 |{{flagicon|MAS}} Celcom, TMnet |- |2007–08 |{{flagicon|MAS}} Celcom |- |2009 |{{flagicon|MAS}} Streamyx |- |2010 |{{flagicon|MAS}} Carino |{{flagicon|MAS}} TM |- |2011 | rowspan="3" |{{flagicon|GER}} Adidas | rowspan="2" |No sponsors |- |2012 |- |2013 |{{flagicon|MAS}} Grace One Sports |- |2014 |{{flagicon|MAS}} Carino |{{flagicon|MAS}} BSA |- |2015 | rowspan="2" |{{flagicon|GER}} Adidas |{{flagicon|MAS}} Globaltec |- |2016 | rowspan="3" |{{flagicon|MAS}} Sabah Energy {{flagicon|MAS}} Asian Supply Base |- |2017 | rowspan="4" |{{flagicon|MAS}} Carino |- |2018 |- |2019 | rowspan="2" |No sponsors |- |2020 |- |2021 | rowspan="4" |{{flagicon|ITA}} Lotto |{{flagicon|MAS}} Warisan Harta Sabah {{flagicon|MAS}} Sabah Net |- |2022 |{{flagicon|MAS}} RedOne |- |2023 |{{flagicon|MAS}} Sawit Kinabalu {{flagicon|MAS}} RedOne (AFC Cup) |- |2024–2025 |{{flagicon|MAS}} Jetama |- |2025–''present'' |{{flagicon|GER}} Adidas |{{flagicon|MAS}} Sawit Kinabalu |}

== Club culture == === Supporter Groups === * Bola Sepak Sabah * Football Fans of Sabah * Kelab Penyokong Sabah Rhino * North Borneo Ultras (NBU) * Sabah Football Fans Club * SabahRhinos.com since 1997 * Tawau City Hoodlum (TCH) * The Rhinos Troops * Sabah Diehard * The Voice of Rhinos#12 * RedBois City (RBC) * Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) * Bola Rhinos Official

=== Mascot === Sabah FA first mascot was the rhinoceros since mid-1990s. In 2010 the SAFA rebranded the mascot to hawk.<ref>{{cite web |last=M |first=Jeffrey |date=25 January 2010 |title=SabahHawks |url=http://www.sabahrhinos.com/2010/01/sabahhawks/ |access-date=16 March 2018 |work=Sabah Rhinos}}</ref> which was controversial as Kuala Lumpur FA at that time was also known as the ''Hawks''.<ref>{{cite web |last=M |first=Jeffrey |date=25 January 2010 |title=Sabah is now known as Sabahawks |url=http://www.sabahrhinos.com/2010/01/sabah-is-now-known-as-sabahawks/ |access-date=16 March 2018 |work=Sabah Rhinos}}</ref> Sabah FA reinstated the Rhinoceros mascot starting from 2015.<ref name="diouf" /> In 2019, Sabah FA once again rebranded the mascot as '''Tambadau'''.<ref>{{cite web |date=27 January 2019 |title='Tambadau' maskot baharu Sabah |trans-title='Tambadau' Sabah new mascot |url=https://www.astroawani.com/berita-sukan/tambadau-maskot-baharu-sabah-197091 |access-date=9 December 2023 |work=Astro Awani |language=ms}}</ref> Following the 2021 privatisation process,'''Sabah FC''' was chosen as the new club name and the rhinoceros once again became the official mascot.<ref name="rhino" />

== Rivalry == Historically, since 1970 until 2019, Sabah FC's grand old neighboring rivals was Sarawak FA (later renamed as Sarawak FC) also referred to as '''The Grand Borneo Derby'''. Since 2020 Malaysian football era, Sabah FC’s neighboring rivals are DPMM FC and Kuching City with these matches commonly referred to as the '''Borneo Derby'''.

== Broadcasting == Malaysia Super League and other cup matches are broadcast live on Astro Arena and on the Astro Go and Sooka streaming platforms, while radio coverages regular season matches on RTM Sabah FM 89.9 in Malay language. == Players == === First-team squad === {{updated|Updated in 31 January 2025}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Sabah Team Detail |url=https://cms.fam.org.my/v1/teamdetail/czoxMToiY21zLnNhYmFoZmMiOw%3D%3D/T2024TSM |website=CMS FAM |publisher=Football Association of Malaysia |access-date=11 May 2024 }}</ref> {{Fs start}} {{Fs player|no=1|pos=GK|nat=MAS|name=Ramzi Mustakim}} {{Fs player|no=3|pos=DF|nat=MAS|name=Rawilson Batuil}} {{Fs player|no=4|pos=DF|nat=BRA|name=Gabriel Peres}} {{Fs player|no=8|pos=MF|nat=MAS|name=Farhan Roslan}} {{Fs player|no=9|pos=FW|nat=Haiti|name=Kervens Belfort}} {{Fs player|no=10|pos=MF|nat=ESP|name=Cifu}} {{Fs player|no=11|pos=FW|nat=MAS|name=Jafri Firdaus Chew}} {{Fs player|no=12|pos=FW|nat=MAS|name=Kumaahran Sathasivam}} {{Fs player|no=13|pos=DF|nat=MAS|name=Dinesh Rajasingam}} {{Fs player|no=14|pos=MF|nat=AUS|name=Dean Pelekanos}} {{Fs player|no=15|pos=FW|nat=MAS|name=Fergus Tierney}} {{Fs player|no=19|pos=GK|nat=MAS|name=Khairul Fahmi}} {{Fs player|no=20|pos=MF|nat=MAS|name=Gary Steven Robbat}} {{Fs player|no=22|pos=MF|nat=Croatia|name=Duje Ljubic}} {{Fs mid}} {{Fs player|no=23|pos=DF|nat=NZL|name=Dane Ingham}} {{Fs player|no=25|pos=GK|nat=MAS|name=Azlizan Azlan}} {{Fs player|no=27|pos=FW|nat=MAS|name=Maxsius Musa}} {{Fs player|no=28|pos=FW|nat=MAS|name=Darren Lok}} {{Fs player|no=30|pos=FW|nat=MAS|name=Shahrol Nizam}} {{Fs player|no=31|pos=GK|nat=MAS|name=Damien Lim}} {{Fs player|no=33|pos=DF|nat=MAS|name=Dominic Tan}} {{Fs player|no=34|pos=DF|nat=MAS|name=Ritchie Svenson}} {{Fs player|no=50|pos=FW|nat=MAS|name=Azhad Harraz}} {{Fs player|no=70|pos=MF|nat=MAS|name=Fakrul Iman}} {{Fs player|no=72|pos=DF|nat=MAS|name=Harith Naem}} {{Fs player|no=76|pos=DF|nat=MAS|name=Rozacklye Yanam}} {{Fs player|no=88|pos=MF|nat=MAS|name=Rusdi Roslan}} {{Fs player|no=90|pos=DF|nat=THA|name=Ernesto Amantegui Phumipha}} {{Fs end}}

== Technical staff == {| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;" |- ! style="background:Red; color:White;" |Position ! style="background:Red; color:White;" |Name |- |Head coach ||{{flagicon|SPA}} Juan Torres Garrido |- |rowspan=2|Assistant coach ||{{flagicon|SVK}} Martin Stano |- |{{flagicon|MAS}} Faisal Ahmad |- |Goalkeeper coach ||{{flagicon|MAS}} Irwan Jamil |- |Team doctor || {{flagicon|MAS}} Wan Sherhan Wan Ilias |- |rowspan=2| Physio ||{{flagicon|NED}} Norbert Mohnen |- |{{flagicon|MAS}} Maxson Michael George |- |rowspan=2| Masseur || {{flagicon|MAS}} Madlin Saman |- |{{flagicon|MAS}} Bonaventure Michael |- |rowspan=2|Kitman || {{flagicon|MAS}} Azree Rosli |- |{{flagicon|MAS}} Zamri Jamli |}

== Honours == {| class="wikitable" style="font-size:89%;" |- ! Align=Left|{{center|Titles}} ! Align=Left|Winners ! Align=Left|{{center|Runners-up}} |- |VAlign=Top|'''Liga Perdana/Malaysia Super League''' | bgcolor=gold | {{center|1996}} |VAlign=Top| |- |VAlign=Top|'''Malaysia Premier League''' | bgcolor=gold | {{center|2019}} | bgcolor=silver | {{center|2001, 2010}} |- |VAlign=Top|'''Malaysia FA Cup''' | bgcolor=gold | {{center|1995}} | bgcolor=silver | {{center|1993, 1994, 1998, 2025}} |- |VAlign=Top|'''MFL Challenge Cup''' | bgcolor=gold | {{center|2026}} |VAlign=Top| |- |VAlign=Top|'''Malaysia Cup''' |VAlign=Top| | bgcolor=silver | {{center|1996, 2002, 2003}} |- |VAlign=Top|'''Malaysian Charity Shield''' |VAlign=Top| | bgcolor=silver | {{center|1996}} |- |VAlign=Top|'''Borneo Cup (13×)''' | bgcolor=gold | {{center|1962, 1963, 1967, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972<br />1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1984, 1985}} | bgcolor=silver | {{center|1987}} |}

== Club records == {{Updated|28 May 2023}} ''Note'': * '''Pld''' = Played, '''W''' = Won, '''D''' = Drawn, '''L''' = Lost, '''F''' = Goals for, '''A''' = Goals against, '''Pts'''= Points, '''Pos''' = Position

{{legend2|Gold|1st or Champions|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}} {{legend2|Silver|2nd or Runner-up|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}} {{legend2|#deb678|3rd place|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}} {{legend2|#FFCCCC|Relegation|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}

{| class="wikitable" style="border:2px solid red; font-size:90%; text-align:center;" |- ! rowspan="2" style="background:red; color:white;" width="60"| Season ! colspan="10" style="background:red; color:white;"| League ! colspan="3" style="background:red; color:white;"| Cup ! colspan="2" style="background:red; color:white;"| Asia |- ! style="background:red; color:white;" width="150"| Division ! style="background:red; color:white;" width="20"| {{Tooltip|Pld|Played}} ! style="background:red; color:white;" width="20"| {{Tooltip|W|Win}} ! style="background:red; color:white;" width="20"| {{Tooltip|D|Draw}} ! style="background:red; color:white;" width="20"| {{Tooltip|L|Loss}} ! style="background:red; color:white;" width="20"| {{Tooltip|F|Goal for}} ! style="background:red; color:white;" width="20"| {{Tooltip|A|Goal against}} ! style="background:red; color:white;" width="20"| {{Tooltip|D|Goal difference}} ! style="background:red; color:white;" width="20"| {{Tooltip|Pts|Points}} ! style="background:red; color:white;" width="20"| {{Tooltip|Pos|Position}} ! style="background:red; color:white;" width="130"| Charity ! style="background:red; color:white;" width="130"| Malaysia ! style="background:red; color:white;" width="130"| FA ! style="background:red; color:white;" width="130"| Competition ! style="background:red; color:white;" width="130"| Result |- ! 1995 ! Liga Perdana | 28 | 13 | 5 | 10 | 60 | 45 | align=center| +15 | 44 | 5th | – | Semi-finals | style="background:gold;"| Champions | Asian Cup Winners' Cup | Round of 16 |- ! 1996 ! Liga Perdana | 28 | 17 | 7 | 4 | 49 | 21 | align=center| +28 | 58 | style="background:gold;"| 1st | style="background:silver;"| Runner-up | style="background:silver;"| Runner-up | Quarter-finals | – | – |- ! 1997 ! Liga Perdana | 28 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 42 | 28 | align=center| +14 | 49 | style="background:#deb678;"| 3rd | – | Group stage | 2nd round | – | – |- ! 1998 ! Perdana 1 | 22 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 22 | 26 | align=center| –4 | 31 | 5th | – | Semi-finals | style="background:silver;"| Runner-up | – | – |- ! 1999 ! Perdana 1 | 18 | 6 | 7<ref group="lower-alpha">'''Draw''' were followed by penalty shootouts for an additional point.</ref> | 5 | 20 | 20 | align=center| +0 | 29 | 4th | – | Group stage | Semi-finals | – | – |- ! 2000 ! Perdana 1 | 22 | 4 | 4 | 14 | 22 | 41 | align=center| –19 | 16 | style="background:#FFCCCC;"| 11th | – | Group stage | 1st round | – | – |- ! 2001 ! Perdana 2 | 22 | 14 | 3 | 5 | 41 | 22 | align=center| +19 | 45 | style="background:silver;"| 2nd | – | Group stage | Semi-finals | – | – |- ! 2002 ! Perdana 1 | 26 | 13 | 8 | 5 | 48 | 30 | align=center| +18 | 47 | style="background:#deb678;"| 3rd | – | style="background:silver;"| Runner-up | Quarter-finals | – | – |- ! 2003 ! Perdana 1 | 24 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 34 | 22 | align=center| +12 | 38 | 4th | – | style="background:silver;"| Runner-up | Semi-finals | – | – |- ! 2004 ! Super League | 21 | 4 | 5 | 12 | 22 | 35 | align=center| –13 | 17 | 6th | – | Semi-finals | Quarter-finals | – | – |- ! 2005 ! Super League | 21 | 6 | 4 | 11 | 25 | 39 | align=center| –14 | 22 | style="background:#FFCCCC;"| 8th | – | Group stage | Quarter-finals | – | – |- ! 2005–06 ! Premier League | 21 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 32 | 31 | align=center| +1 | 28 | 4th | – | Group stage | 1st round | – | – |- ! 2006–07 ! Premier League | 20 | 6 | 9 | 5 | 26 | 21 | align=center| +5 | 27 | 5th | – | Semi-finals | Quarter-finals | – | – |- ! 2007–08 ! Premier League | 24 | 13 | 5 | 6 | 48 | 27 | align=center| +21 | 44 | 4th | – | Group stage | Quarter-finals | – | – |- ! 2009 ! Premier League | 24 | 5 | 7 | 12 | 18 | 31 | align=center| –13 | 22 | 9th | – | Group stage | 1st round | – | – |- ! 2010 ! Premier League | 22 | 15 | 3 | 4 | 42 | 14 | align=center| +28 | 48 | style="background:silver;"| 2nd | – | Group stage | 1st round | – | – |- ! 2011 ! Super League | 26 | 7 | 7 | 12 | 24 | 32 | align=center| –8 | 28 | 10th | – | Quarter-finals | 1st round | – | – |- ! 2012 ! Super League | 26 | 7 | 7 | 12 | 33 | 52 | align=center| –19 | 28 | style="background:#FFCCCC;"| 13th | – | Not qualified | 1st round | – | – |- ! 2013 ! Premier League | 22 | 9 | 3 | 10 | 42 | 46 | align=center| –4 | 30 | 5th | – | Not qualified | 2nd round | – | – |- ! 2014 ! Premier League | 22 | 6 | 6 | 10 | 21 | 30 | align=center| –9 | 24 | 7th | – | Not qualified | 2nd round | – | – |- ! 2015 ! Premier League | 22 | 8 | 3 | 11 | 37 | 42 | align=center| –5 | 27 | 7th | – | Not qualified | 1st round | – | – |- ! 2016 ! Premier League | 22 | 5 | 5 | 12 | 26 | 41 | align=center| –15 | 20 | 9th | – | Not qualified | 3rd round | – | – |- ! 2017 ! Premier League | 22 | 9 | 3 | 10 | 33 | 38 | alig=center| –5 | 30 | 7th | – | Not qualified | Quarter-finals | – | – |- ! 2018 ! Premier League | 20 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 35 | 26 | alig=center| +9 | 28 | 6th | – | Semi-finals | 2nd round | – | – |- ! 2019 ! Premier League | 20 | 13 | 4 | 3 | 33 | 17 | alig=center| +16 | 43 | style="background:gold;"| 1st | – | Group Stage | 2nd round | – | – |- !2020 !Super League |11 |2 |3 |6 |12 |24 | –12 |9 |10th | – |Cancelled |Cancelled | – | – |- !2021 !Super League |22 |4 |7 |11 |21 |38 | –17 |19 |9th | – | – |Not held | – | – |- ! 2022 ! Super League |22 |13 |3 |6 |36 |26 | +10 |42 | style=“background:bronze;”| 3rd | – | Semi-finals | Quarter-finals | – | – |- ! 2023 ! Super League | 26 | 17 | 3 | 6 | 64 | 33 | 31 | 54 | 3rd | – | Quarter-finals | Quarter-finals | AFC Cup | Zonal semi-finals |- |2024-25 |Super League |24 |11 |7 |6 |41 |33 |8 |40 |3rd |_ |Semi-final |Quarter-finals |_ |_ |}Source:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/national/malaysia/super-league/2016/regular-season/r34288/|title=[Summary] Malaysia Super League|work=Soccerway|year=2016|access-date=16 March 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesm/malay2016.html|title=Malaysia 2016|last=Stokkermans|first=Karel|work=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation|date=10 August 2017|access-date=16 March 2018}}</ref> {{Reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

== Performances in AFC competitions == * '''Asian Cup Winners' Cup''': 1 appearance ::1995: Round of 16 * '''AFC Cup''': 1 appearance ::2023–24: ASEAN Zonal semi-finals

{| class="wikitable" |- !Season !Competition !Round !Opponent !Home !Away !Aggregate |- | rowspan="2"| 1995 | rowspan="2"| Asian Cup Winners' Cup | First round | {{flagicon|VIE}} An Giang | style="text-align:center; background:#dfd;"|3–0 | style="text-align:center; background:#fdd;"|0–1 | style="text-align:center; background:#dfd;"|'''3–1''' |- | Second round | {{flagicon|JPN|1870}} Bellmare Hiratsuka | style="text-align:center; background:#fdd;"|1–2 | style="text-align:center; background:#fdd;"|0–5 | style="text-align:center; background:#fdd;"|'''1–7''' |- | rowspan="4"| 2023–24 | rowspan="4"| AFC Cup | rowspan="3"| Group H | {{flagicon|SGP}} Hougang United | style="text-align:center;background:#dfd;"|3–1 | style="text-align:center;background:#dfd;"|4–1 | rowspan="3" style="text-align:center; background:#dfd;"|'''1st out of 4''' |- | {{flagicon|IDN}} PSM Makassar | style="text-align:center; background:#fdd;"|1–3 | style="text-align:center;background:#dfd;"|5–0 |- | {{flagicon|VIE}} Hải Phòng | style="text-align:center;background:#dfd;"|4–1 | style="text-align:center; background:#fdd;"|2–3 |- | ASEAN Zonal semi-finals | {{flagicon|AUS}} Macarthur | colspan="3" style="text-align:center; background:#fdd;"|'''0–3''' |- |}

== List of Managers and Head Coaches == === Managers === {{Div col|colwidth=22em}} * {{flagicon|MAS}} Goh Thian Chuan (1999, 2015) * {{flagicon|MAS}} Osman Jamal (2000–2001) * {{flagicon|MAS}} Mohd Joehari Mohd Ayub (2004–2005) * {{flagicon|MAS}} Abdul Rahman Zakaria (2006–2009, 2014) * {{flagicon|MAS}} Mohd Asyraaf Fong Abdullah (2009) * {{flagicon|AUS}} Gary Phillips (2010–2011) * {{flagicon|MAS}} Shahriman Abdullah (2011–2012) * {{flagicon|MAS}} Alijus Sipil (2013–2014) * {{flagicon|ALG}} Adlane Messelem (2017) * {{flagicon|MAS}} Juil Nuatim (2018) * {{flagicon|MAS}} Peter Anthony (2018–2020) * {{flagicon|MAS}} Jelius Ating (2020–2022) * {{flagicon|MAS}} Shahelmey Yahya (2023–Present) {{div col end}}

=== Head Coaches === {{Div col|colwidth=22em}} * {{flagicon|MAS}} Stanley Chew (–1979, 1985, 1987–1988) * {{flagicon|FRG}} Gerd Schmidt (1980–1983) * {{flagicon|MAS}} James Wong (1984) * {{flagicon|MAS}} Azah Ezrein (1986) * {{flagicon|ENG}} Frank Upton (1989–1990) * {{flagicon|ENG}} Roy Lorenson (1990–1992) * {{flagicon|CZE}} Oldřich Sedláček (1992–1995) * {{flagicon|MAS}} Kelly Tham (1995–1996) * {{flagicon|AUS}}{{flagicon|ENG}} Ron Smith (1996–1997) * {{flagicon|ENG}} Ken Shellito (1998) * {{flagicon|MAS}} Justin Ganai (1999, 2005–2006, 2011–2012, 2015) * {{flagicon|AUS}} Ken Worden (1999) * {{flagicon|ENG}} David Woodfield (2000–2001) * {{flagicon|ENG}} Peter Butler (2001–2004) * {{flagicon|POR}} José Garrido (2004–2005) * {{flagicon|POR}} José Luis (2005) * {{flagicon|CRO}} Drago Mamić (2007–2008) * {{flagicon|IRQ}} Wathiq Naji (2008–2009) * {{flagicon|MAS}} Mohd Asyraaf Fong Abdullah (2009) * {{flagicon|AUS}} Gary Phillips (2010–2011) * {{flagicon|MAS}} Andrew Majjangkim (2012) * {{flagicon|NIR}} David McCreery (2012–2013) * {{flagicon|MAS}} Johnny Dominicus (2013) * {{flagicon|BIH}} Milomir Šešlija (2013–2014) * {{flagicon|ENG}} Mike Mulvey (2015) * {{flagicon|CRO}} Vjeran Simunić (2015–2016) * {{flagicon|FRA}} Steve Vilmiaire (2016–2017) * {{flagicon|MAS}} Jelius Ating (2017–2019) * {{flagicon|IDN}} Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto (2020, 2021) * {{flagicon|MAS}} Lucas Kalang Laeng (2020) * {{flagicon|MAS}} Burhan Ajui (caretaker) * {{flagicon|MAS}} Ong Kim Swee (2021–2024) * {{flagicon|SVK}} Martin Stano (2024–2025) * {{flagicon|AUS}} Jean-Paul de Marigny (2025) * {{flagicon|MAS}} Alto Linus (2025-2026) *{{Flag icon|SPA}}Juan Torres Gurriado (2026-Present){{Div col end}}

== Head Coaches with titles == The following head coaches won at least one trophy when in charge of Sabah:

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:95%;" |- ! style="background:Red; color:White;"|Name ! style="background:Red; color:White;"|Period ! style="background:Red; color:White;"|Trophies |- | {{flagicon|MAS}} Kelly Tham || 1995–1996 || 1995 Malaysia FA Cup |- | {{flagicon|AUS}}{{flagicon|ENG}} Ron Smith || 1996–1998 || 1996 Premier League |- | {{flagicon|MAS}} Jelius Ating || 2017–2019 || 2019 Malaysia Premier League |- | {{flagicon|Spain}} Juan Torres Garrido || 2026– || 2026 MFL Challenge Cup |- |}

== Notable players == ''Notable former players of Sabah F.C. who have earned senior international caps for their respective nations:'' {{col-begin}} {{col-3}} '''Malaysia''' * {{flagicon|MAS}} Amri Yahyah * {{flagicon|MAS}} Ariusdius Jais * {{flagicon|MAS}} Azizon Abdul Kadir * {{flagicon|MAS}} Azzizan Nordin * {{flagicon|MAS}} Baddrol Bakhtiar * {{flagicon|MAS}} Badrulzaman Abdul Halim * {{flagicon|MAS}} Bobby Gonzales * {{flagicon|MAS}} Brendan Gan * {{flagicon|MAS}} Dass Gregory Kolopis * {{flagicon|MAS}} Evan Wensley * {{flagicon|MAS}} G. Jeevananthan * {{flagicon|MAS}} Harith Naem * {{flagicon|MAS}} Hassan Sani * {{flagicon|MAS}} Irfan Zakaria * {{flagicon|MAS}} Izuan Salahuddin * {{flagicon|MAS}} James Wong * {{flagicon|MAS}} K. Sanbagamaran * {{flagicon|MAS}} Khairul Azman Mohamed * {{flagicon|MAS}} Liew Kit Kong * {{flagicon|MAS}} Matlan Marjan * {{flagicon|MAS}} Mohd Anis Faron * {{flagicon|MAS}} Mohd Arsyah Ayob * {{flagicon|MAS}} Mohd Syamsuri Mustafa * {{flagicon|MAS}} Nazirul Naim * {{flagicon|MAS}} Nazri Ahmad * {{flagicon|MAS}} Nazrulerwan Makmor * {{flagicon|MAS}} N. Thanabalan * {{flagicon|MAS}} Ong Kim Swee * {{flagicon|MAS}} Peter Rajah * {{flagicon|MAS}} Redzuan Mohd Radzy * {{flagicon|MAS}} Rizal Ghazali * {{flagicon|MAS}} Ronny Harun * {{flagicon|MAS}} Rozaimi Abdul Rahman * {{flagicon|MAS}} R. Surendran * {{flagicon|MAS}} Sumardi Hajalan * {{flagicon|MAS}} Shahril Saa'ri * {{flagicon|MAS}} Shahrul Azhar Ture * {{flagicon|MAS}} Syed Adney * {{flagicon|MAS}} Tommy Mawat Bada * {{flagicon|MAS}} Wong Sai Kong * {{flagicon|MAS}} Zainizam Marjan * {{flagicon|MAS}} Zuraindey Jumai

{{col-3}} '''AFC''' * {{flagicon|AUS}} Michael Baird * {{flagicon|AUS}} Scott Ollerenshaw * {{flagicon|HKG}} Tim Bredbury * {{flagicon|IDN}} Saddil Ramdani * {{flagicon|IDN}} Dedi Kusnandar * {{flagicon|KOR}} Lee Kil-Hoon * {{flagicon|SGP}} Fazrul Nawaz * {{flagicon|TKM}} Ahmet Ataýew * {{flagicon|KOR}} Park Tae-soo

'''CAF''' * {{flagicon|ANG}} Aguinaldo * {{flagicon|CMR}} Alexis Tibidi * {{flagicon|CMR}} Émile Mbouh * {{flagicon|GAB}} Lévy Madinda * {{flagicon|GNB}} José Embaló * {{flagicon|LBR}} Jerome Suku Doe * {{flagicon|LBR}} Joseph Amoah * {{flagicon|LBR}} Josiah Seton * {{flagicon|LBR}} Sam Johnson * {{flagicon|LBY}} Éamon Zayed * {{flagicon|NAM}} Paulus Shipanga * {{flagicon|NAM}} Petrus Shitembi * {{flagicon|SEN}} Abdoulaye Faye * {{flagicon|SEN}} El Hadji Diouf * {{flagicon|RSA}} Dumisa Ngobe * {{flagicon|ZAM}} Francis Kasonde * {{flagicon|ZAM}} Gift Kampamba

'''CONCACAF''' * {{flagicon|PUR}} Héctor Ramos * {{flagicon|SKN}} Keith Gumbs

{{col-3}} '''CONMEBOL''' * {{flagicon|BRA}} Luiz Júnior

'''UEFA''' * {{flagicon|CRO}} Zdravko Šimić * {{flagicon|CSK}} Jaroslav Netolička * {{flagicon|ENG}} David Rocastle<ref name="Leighton 2016"/> * {{flagicon|FRA}} Sofiane Choubani * {{flagicon|MKD}} Risto Mitrevski * {{flagicon|SER}} Luka Milunović * {{flagicon|WAL}} Rhys Weston {{col-end}}

== References == {{reflist|2}}

== External links == * {{official website|http://sabah-fc.com/}} * [http://www.sabahrhinos.com/ Sabah football supporters website] * [http://www.futbol24.com/team/Malaysia/Sabah-FA/ Sabah FA team latest statistics] * [https://int.soccerway.com/teams/malaysia/sabah/squad/ Sabah FA individual player stats]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sabah. F.C.}} Category:Sabah F.C. (Malaysia) Category:Malaysia Premier League clubs Category:Football clubs in Malaysia Category:Football clubs in Sabah Category:Association football clubs established in 1963 Category:1963 establishments in Malaysia Category:Football associations in Malaysia Category:Sports organizations established in 1963 Category:Malaysia Super League clubs