Abu Muslim FC

Abu Muslim Farah
Full nameAbu Muslim Farah Football Club
NicknameThe Champions of Qala-e-Fereydoun
Founded1967; 58 years ago (1967)
2008; 17 years ago (2008) (refounded)
GroundVarious
PresidentAbdul Hamid Sharifi
Head coachFernando Santiago Varela
LeagueAfghanistan Champions League
2024–25Afghanistan Champions League, 1st of 12 (champions)
Websiteabumuslimfarahfc.com

Abu Muslim Farah Football Club (Dari: باشگاه فوتبال ابومسلم, romanized: Bâšgâh-e Futbâl-e Abu-Muslim) is an Afghan professional football club from Farah that currently plays in the Afghanistan Champions League.

History

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Abu Muslim Football Club was established in 1967.[1] The club has been competing in the Afghanistan Champions League since its inception in 2021.[2] The following year, the club achieved a commendable second-place finish, remaining unbeaten throughout the tournament.[3] The year of 2025 marked a historic milestone for Abu Muslim FC as they clinched their first Afghanistan Champions League title. The team completed the season undefeated, securing nine wins and one draw.[4] However, their championship was overshadowed by controversy. A significant 8–0 victory against Adalat Farah raised allegations of match-fixing, especially since both clubs shared the same ownership. Attack Energy, along with seven other teams, lodged formal complaints with the AFF. Despite these actions, the AFF upheld Abu Muslim's championship, leading to Attack Energy's decision to disband in protest.[5] The club's triumph earned them qualification for the AFC Challenge League playoff, representing Afghanistan on a continental stage.[6] Notably, veteran defender and former national team captain Haroon Amiri returned to Afghan football in January 2025, joining Abu Muslim with aspirations to mentor younger players. However, disillusioned by the alleged corruption and mismanagement, Amiri publicly criticized the federation and called for reforms.[7]

Players (2024)

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Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK  UZB Akmyadiov Benkeles
2 DF  AFG Siar Saadat
3 DF  EGY Esandi Youssena
5 DF  AFG Mahboob Hanifi
6 MF  AFG Samir Samandari
9 FW  COL Càça
10 FW  AFG Jabar Sharza
11 MF  AFG Hamed Amiri
13 FW  PAK Fareed Ullah
No. Pos. Nation Player
17 FW  AFG Nematullah Karimi
18 FW  AFG Roman Hamidi
19 FW  MAR Jabrane Sharzi
20 DF  AFG Khalil Tajik
28 FW  AFG Farhad Alizada
44 DF  AFG Amanullah Sardari (captain)
45 GK  AFG Hassan Kushani
77 MF  AFG Obaid Omari
MF  AFG Omid Rajabi

Honours

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National

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Continental record

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Results list Abu Muslim FC's goal tally first.
Year Competition Round Club Aggregate
2025–26 AFC Challenge League Qualifying play-off Bhutan Paro 0–1

References

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  1. ^ "Abu Muslim FC - Soccer Wiki". Soccer Wiki. Retrieved 2025-04-22.
  2. ^ "Afghanistan – List of Champions". RSSSF. Retrieved 2025-04-22.
  3. ^ "Afghanistan 2022". RSSSF. Retrieved 2025-04-22.
  4. ^ "Afghanistan 2024/25". RSSSF. Retrieved 2025-04-22.
  5. ^ Aarons, Ed (2025-02-18). "Afghan club disbands after alleging match-fixing in champions' 8-0 win". The Guardian. Retrieved 2025-04-22.
  6. ^ "2024–25 Afghanistan Champions League". Wikipedia. Retrieved 2025-04-22.
  7. ^ Aarons, Ed (2025-03-27). "'Getting worse': former Afghanistan captain's anger at state of football in homeland". The Guardian. Retrieved 2025-04-22.
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