Exiled Afghan women footballers discover hope on Moroccan pitches
Manoozh Noori admitted she felt like "wanting to die" after the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan back in 2021. This change stripped her of the chance to pursue her greatest passion: football.
At 22 years old now, Noori escaped from a nation where the United Nations describe the regime as enforcing a "gender apartheid". She joined a squad of Afghan refugee women and recently competed in an unprecedented competition held in Morocco.
"I questioned whether I could remain in a place where people aim to prevent women from education, from football, from any activity at all," Noori shared with AFP.
The Taliban regime claims to safeguard women's rights through Islamic principles, yet they prohibit girls from schooling after age 12, restrict most employment and public access for women, and bar them from sports participation.
Despite opposition from her family, Noori had played for Afghanistan's national women's team in professional matches until the Taliban's return.
She hid her awards and honours in the garden behind her home before fleeing to Australia.
The group Afghan Women United came together across Europe and Australia, where several team members have resettled since 2021.
A inspiring tale
The squad made their debut in international fixtures during the FIFA Unites: Women's Series in Morocco towards the end of last month, with Noori netting the team's inaugural goal in the match versus Chad.
Although they fell short against Chad and Tunisia, they achieved a decisive 7-0 victory over Libya. Overall, the event marked a significant triumph for these Afghan players.
FIFA leader Gianni Infantino, present at one of their encounters, called their involvement "an inspiring tale" crafted by the women "for countless girls and women globally".
Nilab Mohammadi, a 28-year-old forward and ex-military member who once played for Afghanistan's national side, stated that football goes beyond mere athletics, embodying "life and hope".
"Afghanistan offers no freedom anymore, particularly for its women," Mohammadi continued. "Yet we intend to speak on their behalf."
Midfielder Mina Ahmadi, aged 20, reflected that "a dream was stolen from us" in their homeland, but "FIFA's recognition felt like restoring a piece of it".
"This fresh journey brings us joy," Ahmadi noted, currently pursuing studies in medical sciences in Australia.
"It will continue because we press on."
Simply to enjoy football
FIFA has not yet ruled on allowing the refugee side to enter official global contests as Afghanistan's representatives, though the athletes stay committed to that aim.
Afghan Women United focus solely on gaining FIFA approval to serve as the national women's team, given that females in Afghanistan face bans on the sport.
"These women possess remarkable qualities," remarked Aish Ravi, an expert in gender equality within sports who assisted many players upon their 2021 arrival in Australia.
"They show strength and motivation," she continued. "Overcoming vast challenges merely to engage in football.
"For them, this game transcends entertainment," Ravi explained. "It stands for liberty."
Ahmadi expressed her aspiration to compete in Europe someday, yet distance from her roots presents struggles.
"Adapting to a foreign land where you were not raised proves tough," she said. "You long for family and companions... Still, we must advance."