Eight teams from eight zones will battle it out at the Afghan Football Federation stadium from Thursday in the 6th annual APL tournament.

AVA- The sixth round of Afghanistan’s Premier League (APL) football tournament is set to kick off on Thursday in Kabul with last year’s winners Shaheen Asmayee taking on De Spinghar Bazan in the first match.

The tournament will take place at the Afghanistan Football Federation stadium in the city and eight teams from eight zones around the country will battle it out for this year’s trophy.

The APL tournament is the biggest and most popular football tournament in Afghanistan and this year, the best players will be picked for the national team. 

“In the past years due to some problems, we failed to choose the National Football Team combination from among the best players of the premier league. But this year we will choose the best players from this tournament and will include them in the national team lineup. After that, members of the national team can start practicing under the supervision of the coaches,” Mohammad Yusuf Kargar, the technical deputy of the Afghansitan Football Federation said.

APL Commissioner Shafiq Gawhari said: “This year we will hold the semi-finals and the final match at night which is good news. The lights of the stadium will be changed in accordance with international standards within two weeks.”

Thursday’s match meanwhile will see league log leaders Shaheen Asmayee take on De Spinghar Bazan, who along with Toofan Harirod, share the second spot.

This year, the opening ceremony will be broadcast live on TOLO TV, Lemar TV and simulcast on Arman FM and Arakozia FM.