The Afghanistan Champions League is a professional men's football league run by the Afghanistan Football Federation (AFF). It is the country's primary competition for the sport. The competition commenced in 2021.[1]
 | |
| Founded | 2021 |
|---|---|
| Country | Afghanistan |
| Confederation | AFC |
| Number of teams | 12 |
| Level on pyramid | 1 |
| International cup(s) | AFC Challenge League |
| Current champions | Attack Energy SC (2) (2024) |
| Most championships | Attack Energy (2 titles) |
| TV partners | Ariana Television Network |
| Current: 2024 Afghanistan Champions League | |
History
editThe Afghanistan Champions League was established in 2021, replacing the Afghan Premier League.[2][1] The league consisted of 12 clubs from Kabul, Herat and Balkh.[3][4]
In the second 2022 season,[5] Abu Muslim club came second after Attack Energy by 4 points. The two of 12 clubs finished without any defeat.[6][7][8][9] During the Champions League games, the teams of Attack Energy and Abu Muslim played against each other, and this match ended with a result of 1–1.[10]
In 2023, the league was not held due to financial crisis as FIFA had not sent the budget to the Afghanistan Football Federation since early 2023 due to political changes and the Taliban's presence within Afghan football, violating FIFA regulations, and after the remaining funds in the account of the Afghanistan Football Federation ended in 2022.[11][12]
In January 2024, the Afghanistan Football Federation announced the return of the league after Ramadan on 20 April.[13][14][15] In the 2024 season Attack Energy won their second consecutive title after finishing the season unbeaten by winning all of their 11 matches.[16]
Champions
edit| Year | Champion | Runners-up | Top scorer | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Sorkh Poshan | Istiqlal | N/A | N/A |
| 2022 | Attack Energy | Abu Muslim | N/A | N/A |
| 2024 | Attack Energy | Sorkh Poshan | Ahmad Nabi Muqdas |
League wins by club
edit| Club | Wins | Winning year |
|---|---|---|
| Attack Energy | 2 | 2022, 2024 |
| Sorkh Poshan | 1 | 2021 |
Clubs
editThe following 12 clubs competed in the 2024 Afghanistan Champions League season.[17]
Media coverage and sponsorships
editIn April 2024, Ariana Television Network signed a deal with the Afghanistan Football Federation to broadcast the third season of the Afghanistan Champions League live, legally and exclusively.[17] The league was sponsored by Victor Energy Drink.[17]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Afghanistan 2021". www.rsssf.org. Retrieved 2024-02-19.
- ^ "Afghanistan - List of Champions". www.rsssf.org. Retrieved 2024-02-02.
- ^ "Afghanistan 2021". Facebook.
- ^ "Football: Afghanistan Champions League Kicks Off in Kabul". TOLOnews. Retrieved 2024-02-02.
- ^ "Kabul beats Laghman in Afghanistan football champions league". 2021-03-28. Retrieved 2024-02-08.
- ^ "Afghanistan 2022". www.rsssf.org. Retrieved 2024-02-08.
- ^ Ahmed, Faiz (20 December 2023). "Pakistan Footballer Set to Join Afghanistan Football Club". ProPakistani.
- ^ Ahmed, Faiz (28 December 2023). "Pakistan's Shayak Dost Officially Signs for Abu Muslim FC in Afghanistan Premier League". ProPakistani.
- ^ Alexander, Shayan Obaid (2 February 2024). "Pakistan's Star Defender Abdullah Shah Joins Afghan Champions League". ProPakistani.
- ^ Jafari, Shir Ali (2022-12-06). "Attack Energy's Football Team Won the Afghanistan Champions League The Killid Group". The Killid Group. Retrieved 2024-02-08.
- ^ "چرا فوتبال در افغانستان پیشرفت نمی‌کند؟". BBC News فارسی (in Persian). 2023-06-27. Retrieved 2024-02-12.
- ^ "آشفته و نگران؛ فوتبال افغانستان با سرمربی انگلیسی‌اش آماده تقابل با قطر و کویت می‌شود". BBC News فارسی (in Persian). 2023-11-15. Retrieved 2024-02-12.
- ^ "قابل توجه فوتبال دوستان عزیز، نظر به جلسه اخیر کمیته های تخنیکی فدراسیون فوتبال افغانستان در مورد رقابت های لیگ قهرمانان فوتبال افغانستان (ACL) سال 2023 تصمیم بر این شد که مسابقات مذکور بعد از ماه مبارک رمضان در تاریخ 20 اپریل 2024 برگزار خواهد شد". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2024-02-12.
- ^ "SPORTATN seals agreement to broadcast 3rd season of Afghanistan Champions League". Ariana News. 7 April 2024. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
- ^ Sarwari, Sohrab (9 April 2024). "Afghanistan Champion League to kick off on April 20". Pahwok Afghan News. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
- ^ "Attack Energy's flawless run ends in an ACL triumph | Ariana News". www.ariananews.af. 2024-05-22. Retrieved 2024-05-31.
- ^ a b c "SPORTATN seals agreement to broadcast 3rd season of Afghanistan Champions League". Ariana News. 7 April 2024. Retrieved 9 April 2024.