• Afghan women's football team plays first match after Taliban takeover.
• Captain Fatima Haidari emphasizes the team's joy at returning to the pitch.
• Team named "Afghan Women United," reflects resilience in adversity.
• Despite losing 6-1 to Chad, the match symbolizes hope and progress.
• Tournament includes teams from Chad, Tunisia, and Libya.

The Afghan women's football team, known as Afghan Women United, made a triumphant return to the international stage at the FIFA Unites tournament in Morocco, marking their first match in four years after the Taliban's ban on women's sports in Afghanistan. The team's captain, Fatima Haidari, expressed the significance of this moment, stating, "To stand on an international stage after four years, it’s the most significant moment of my life and (for) the girls, absolutely," showcasing their excitement to represent their nation again, according to Africanews, Al Jazeera, and Reuters.

In their opening match, Afghan Women United faced Chad, concluding with a 6-1 defeat. However, the players celebrated the opportunity to play at this level, a victory in itself given their circumstances as refugees. Women's sporting opportunities in Afghanistan have been drastically limited since the Taliban's rule, pushing many players to seek opportunities abroad. Prior to the Taliban takeover, Afghanistan had 25 women players under contract, most of whom now reside in Australia, according to Africanews, Al Jazeera, and Reuters.

Despite the scoreline, the Afghan team's opening penalty goal, scored by striker Manozh Noori, ignited celebrations among teammates, echoing their resilience and determination. Coach Pauline Hamill has stated that this team embodies the spirit of women striving for their rights through sport. The tournament, originally set to take place in the UAE, was relocated to Morocco after the Afghan team was denied entry to the Gulf nation, emphasizing ongoing hardships for athletes from Afghanistan, according to Africanews, Al Jazeera, and Reuters.