Afghanistan U-17s draw 0-0 against Turkmenistan in CAFA campaign

Afghanistan’s under-17 national football team played to a 0-0 draw against Turkmenistan in their second match of the 2026 CAFA U-17 Championship on Tuesday in Tashkent.

Despite determined efforts from both sides, neither team was able to find a breakthrough in a closely contested match, with Afghanistan securing their first point of the tournament.

Afghanistan entered the match looking to recover from a narrow 2-1 defeat to Kyrgyzstan in their opening fixture on Monday, making the result an important step in keeping their campaign on track.

With two matches remaining, Afghanistan will be aiming for strong performances to improve their position in the standings and challenge for a higher finish.

Fans across the country can follow the action closely, with Afghanistan’s matches being screened live on Ariana Television. The next match will be on Thursday, 9 April when the team takes on Uzbekistan at 4:25 pm.

Afghanistan’s final match will be on Saturday, 11 April against Tajikistan at 1:25 pm.

The tournament wraps up on April 13 and serves as a development stage for youth football in the region, offering players valuable international exposure while allowing national federations to assess rising talent.

Afghanistan’s youth teams are increasingly seen as central to the country’s long-term football ambitions. For many of the players, the CAFA U-17 Championship represents not only a chance to compete for silverware, but also an opportunity to showcase their abilities on a regional stage.