August 19 – FIFA are hailing this week’s international friendly between Afghanistan and Pakistan and the start of the second edition of the Afghan Premier League (APL) two days later as major milestones in the recent history of Afghan football. Tuesday’s landmark friendly in Kabul is the first such fixture in Afghanistan since 2003, when the host nation played Turkmenistan, and is expected to be a full house.
“The fact that we are hosting our first international game in ten years, and the first against Pakistan in Kabul since 1977, represents a major highlight for football in our country,” said Sayed Aghazada, general secretary of the Afghan Football Federation (AFF).
“It shows that after a very difficult period we are returning to normality. Afghan football has improved in terms of organisation and infrastructure, and we now believe that football can play an even bigger role in our country. Of course we expect a sold-out crowd.”
His counterpart, Pakistan FA general secretary Lt. Colonel Ahmad Yar Khan Lodhi, added: “This is a very symbolic game for the whole football community in south Asia which confirms that our sport can contribute to promote a positive relationship between neighbour countries.”
The friendly will be played at the AFF stadium on a FIFA Goal project-funded artificial pitch. Two days later, the same venue will host the opening of the second edition of the Afghan Premier League (APL). Eight teams from all over the country, including those from the violence-prone provinces of Helmand and Kandahar, are taking part, with improved security, accreditation and ticketing measures.
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