Afghan girls soccer team in Portugal gets surprise visit

Girls from Afghanistan’s national soccer team who were recently granted asylum in Portugal had a surprise visit from the captain of the senior team.

Farkhunda Muhtaj, a professional player who from her home in Canada spent weeks helping arrange their recent rescue from Afghanistan, flew into the Portuguese capital for an emotional reunion with the girls’ team late on Wednesday.

As the sun set over River Tagus, the girls, aged 14-16, hugged and kissed Muhtaj amid smiles and tears. “They have been so resilient and to finally see them in person has been so emotional because I knew how much they went through,” Muhtaj said.