Atep Rizal
Atep Ahmad Rizal (born 5 June 1985 in Cianjur, West Java, Indonesia), simply known as Atep, is an Indonesian professional footballer who plays as a winger for and captains Liga 2 club Muba Babel United. Club career. Persiba Bantul. After playing for Persib, Atep started his career at Persiba Bantul for two years. Here he calls to strengthen the U-20 squad. For his achievement, he was ogled by Persija Jakarta. Persija Jakarta. In 2004, Atep was contracted by Persija Jakarta after a pretty good season with Persiba Bantul. It does not take long to get allotments in the  first team. His remarkable achievements in Persija Jakarta opened wide opportunities for his international career. In 2005 he was called up to the Indonesian national team squad in the AFF Cup and he scored a goal. His excellent performance at Persija attracted many clubs to sign him, including Persib Bandung who were in talks of his transfer in the 2007/2008 season. He stayed at Persija until the end of 2007 season. Persib Bandung. In 2008, Persib Bandung finally managed to sign Atep, after failing to get it in the previous season. Although his arrival was greeted so positively by Bobotoh , he did not get so many chances to play early in the season so many predicted that he would leave in the transfer season at the break of the competition. But he survived and his end began to get a chance to play even though only as a backup player. On 6 May 2009 when Persib lost 2–1 against Pelita Jaya, he entered in the main squad and Atep scored his only goal scored by Persib and also his first goal in Super League. In 2014 season Atep became a hero for Persib after scoring a spectacular goal against Arema  Cronus that sent Persib to the final against Persipura, which the team won. The following season's league start was postponed, which cleared the way for Persib to compete in AFC Cup before the league began. In this competition, Atep always scored, with a goal ratio of 1 per match AFC Cup. Atep left Persib after playing for the club for 10 years at the end of 2018 Liga 1. Mitra Kukar. Upon his release from Persib at the end of 2018 season, Atep joined Mitra Kukar in Liga 2. PSKC Cimahi. He was signed for PSKC Cimahi to played  in Liga 2 on 2020 season. This season was suspended on 27 March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The season was abandoned and was declared void on 20 January 2021. Muba Babel United. In 2021, Atep signed a contract with Indonesian Liga 2 club Muba Babel United. He made his league debut on 6 October against Sriwijaya at the Gelora Sriwijaya Stadium, Palembang. Style of play. Atep was known for his dribbling abilities and his influences on the pitch that made him Persib captain in many occasions before passing the captaincy to Supardi Nasir in 2018. He is regarded  as an icon for Bobotoh or the supporters of Persib, with the nickname "Lord Atep". When he scored, Bobotoh performed push-ups as an appreciation mark. Honours. Persib U-21 Persib Bandung