Afghans warned against joyful gunfire ahead of soccer final

Afghanistan’s Interior Ministry issued a warning on Sunday against celebratory gunfire after the upcoming SAFF Cup final against India, hoping to avoid a repeat of the raucous celebrations that followed the national team’s victory in 2013.

Afghanistan’s Interior Ministry issued a warning on Sunday against celebratory gunfire after the upcoming SAFF Cup final against India, hoping to avoid a repeat of the raucous celebrations that followed the national team’s victory in 2013.

Peter Segrt, coach of defending champion Afghanistan and Faysal Shayesteh, national football team captain addressing the media. (PTI)

Afghanistan will defend its title against India on Sunday in an eagerly awaited match seen as a point of pride in the war-ravaged country. Afghanistan, which defeated Sri Lanka 5-0 to advance to the finals, is expected to defeat India, which beat Maldives 4-1.

The match is being played at Trivandrum International Stadium in Kerala, India, but Afghans will be watching on a number of large screens set up around the capital and other cities.