×
App Icon
The Standard e-Paper
Join Thousands of Readers
★★★★ - on Play Store
Download Now

Afghan girls' football squad find new home in Ronaldo's Portugal

Vocalize Pre-Player Loader

Audio By Vocalize

The captain of Afghanistan's national women football team Farkhunda Muhtaj (C) poses for a portrait with teammates at the Belem Tower in Lisbon, Portugal, September 29, 2021. Picture taken September 29, 2021. REUTERS

Leaving her homeland Afghanistan was painful, says 15-year-old Sarah. But now safely in Portugal, she hopes to pursue her dream of playing soccer professionally - and perhaps meeting her idol, star striker Cristiano Ronaldo.

Sarah was one of several players from Afghanistan's national female youth soccer squad who fled their country in fear after the Taliban hardline Islamist movement seized power in August.

Premium Article

Get Full Access for Ksh299/Week.

Uncover the stories others won't tell. Subscribe now for exclusive access.
Continue Reading  →
What you get
  • Unlimited access to all premium content
  • Ad-free browsing experience
  • Mobile-optimised reading
  • Weekly newsletters & digests
Pay via
M - PESA
VISA
Airtel Money
Secure Payments Kenya's most trusted newsroom since 1902
By AFP 2 hrs ago
Football
Emery urges Villa to use Europa triumph to fuel bold new era
By AFP 2 hrs ago
Football
DR Congo cancel World Cup training in Kinshasa amid Ebola outbreak
Football
For Arsenal, the time is right and the Lord has made it happen
Sports
Julius Yego's exit beckons after his last African show in Ghana