Exiled Afghan athletes find hope on Morocco’s football pitches | OneFootball

When the Taliban returned to power in 2021, "I wanted to die," says Manoozh Noori. Four years later, the Afghan athlete has just participated in a championship in Morocco alongside other exiles for whom soccer has become a reason for resistance and hope.

Before joining the Afghan refugee team, the 22-year-old player was called up by her country's national team, which was a personal victory for the then sports management student, who had to face her brothers' opposition to be able to play.

But since the fall of Kabul, women are prohibited from practicing and representing Afghanistan in any sport, and are excluded from both universities and, largely, the job market, a "gender apartheid," according to the UN.

Before fleeing the country, Manoozh Noori, "desperate," buried her trophies and medals in her family's backyard.

"I questioned myself: should I continue living in this country? With these people who want to forbid women from studying, playing soccer, and doing anything?" recalls the young woman, currently living in Australia, like many of her teammates.

"Life and Hope"

Gradually formed since May between Australia and Europe, their team played the first international matches at the end of October, during a friendly tournament in Morocco.

Defeated by Chad and Tunisia, but with a victory over Libya (7-0), the players lead a project that goes far beyond sports.

"There is no longer freedom in Afghanistan, especially for Afghan women. But now we will be their voice," says to AFP the forward Nilab Mohammadi, 28, a professional soldier who also played for the Afghan national team.

"For me, soccer is not just a sport, it represents life and hope," she adds.

In Afghanistan, "a dream was taken" from the players, "but when FIFA recognized us, it was as if part of the dream became reality," says Mina Ahmadi.

"This new adventure is a happy moment for us. It won't stop anytime soon, we will keep moving forward," states the 20-year-old, who studies Medical Sciences in an Australian city.

FIFA Recognition

Although FIFA has not yet decided on the possibility of this refugee team playing other international matches, the athletes remain determined to go as far as possible.

"I think they are incredible, strong women, a source of inspiration. They had to overcome many adversities to play soccer," explains to AFP Aish Ravi, a specialist in gender equality in sports.

"This sport is more than a game, it symbolizes freedom for them," adds the researcher, who worked with some Afghan players when they arrived in Australia in 2021.

"It's very difficult to get used to a country where you didn't grow up. You miss your family and friends (...) But it was necessary to move forward," says Mina Ahmadi, who dreams of playing for a European club and participating in a World Cup with the refugee team.

For Manoozh Noori, the goal is clear: that "this team be recognized by FIFA as the Afghan women's national team."

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.