KABUL (Afghanista): Afghan international Zohib Islam Amiri’s football ambitions took root during the Taliban rule.
“During that period there was no (recreational) activity and we were even not allowed to watch TV,” Amiri told FIFA.com. “The only thing I could do was to go to the stadium to watch football matches.
His presence at a cousin’s wedding a decade and half ago proved pivotal in kick-starting what has been an illustrious footballing career.
The time was March, 2005 when 15-year-old Amiri and his parents — then refugees in Pakistan — returned to the Afghanistan capital Kabul for a cousin’s wedding. He was then an adoring fan of Manchester United rising star Cristiano Ronaldo, while his cousin was playing with local club Shoa FC.
“It was a difficult time for us. As a kid I could only enjoy the day by watching and playing football with neighbouring friends. In a time of bomb-blasts and chaos, you had only today and you didn’t think of the next day,” he said.
If the signing by Shoa FC was unexpected for Amiri, a bigger shock was yet to come.
“I was given the No 9 jersey for my first game on behalf of the club,” he said. “Some national team staff were watching us. After the game, they gave me a call-up for a national team camp.
Amiri’s career took off with the national team. He featured for Afghanistan at the 2005 SAFF (South Asian Football Federation) Championship and made his international debut against Maldives aged just 15 years, 9 months and 18 days — which remains a national record. (Source: AFC)
