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.

Fatima Yousufi and Mona Amini escaped the Taliban and found refuge in Australia with dreams of playing international soccer.

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…

The Afghan women’s team escaped the Taliban before returning to the international stage