After escaping the Taliban and years in exile, the Afghan women’s football team rises again
WELLINGTON: Fatima Yousufi escaped the Taliban, arriving in Australia with a backpack and a burning ambition to play international football. Through their own determination and courage, and with family support, Yousufi and others like Mona Amini had been able to study, to play football for clubs and for the Afghanistan women’s team. But when the Taliban returned to power in 2021 it shut down all women’s sports, and the players of the Afghan team went into hiding. After a frantic evacation, 13 of the players settled in Australia where for five years they lived, played and trained in the hope of once again being allowed to represent their country. The Afghanistan football federation doesn’t recognize the women’s team.