AFF announces women’s football squad

KABUL (SW): The Afghanistan Football Federation (AFF) have announced a 33 member women squad for the forthcoming training camps.

Much of the selected players are foreign based Afghans. This move has been harshly criticized by citizens. The selected players include; Shabnam Ruhin, Mariam Ruhin, Maryam Qasemi, Mina Ahmadi, Sajira Jalali, Rina Azizi, Bahara Qoereyshie, Nilofar Yaqoubi, Shabnam Mobarez, Maira Barakzai, Dorrionai Hassan, Manja Mir, Osma Korishi, Wida Zemerai, Aorzala Atmar, Farkhunda Nuhtaj, Hailai Arghandiwal, Mika Sayfurahman, Henna Mohabbat, Safar Noori, Sahar Arghandiwal, Ariana Aini, Leela Amin, Henna Shaghasi, Marjan Haydaree, Aajar Abdulfazil, Zohra Faqerzada, Fahima Tabish, Laili Armaghan, Frishta Shaikhmiri, Desa Sadeqi, Sama Hamasi and Nilab Mohammadi.

The critics have charged the AFF for neglecting the local talent. The Afghanistan Football Federation, on the other hand has defended the move, saying that the selection has been done following merit-based trials. It added that the selected players would be given chances in training and selection camps to prove their mettle and become part of the national squad.

It is vital to note that the AFF appointed former US national player Kelly Lindsay as the head-coach for the Afghan side. The national women team has been playing on the regional and international level since 2010.

So far, out of the 12 games it has played, Afghanistan’s women team has won four, lost eight and two ended in draw. At the FIFA ranking, the women’s team is placed at the 138^th spot in the world.

ENDS