Hafiz was born in Klang, a hospital of Selangor in Malaysia.Like Mourinho, he was a physical education graduate who had not played football at a high level due to his injury during his playing days.

Hafiz's education took him to a seminar day at the SMK Batu Lapan's home stadium, where Mourinho was working as assistant manager to Louis van Gaal. Mourinho saw a kindred spirit in Hafiz, and when he took the União de Leiria job in April 2001, he hired Faria as his assistant and fitness coach.