SADDLER MAZ’S AFGHAN DREAM
AFGHANISTAN may have played just one competitive game in their own country since 1977, but Walsall’s Maz Kouhyar still dreams of leading the Lions of Khurasan out on their own turf. The 20-year-old midfielder was forced to flee the country with his mother, Latisa, and father, Karin, when he was just two years old, settling in the Midlands. Kouhyar has been at Walsall since 2013 and three years later received his first call-up for Afghanistan, drafted into the squad for a friendly against Malaysia. He said: “I think the selectors must have seen I was playing in the Football League and at a good level, so they gave me a call and emailed me inquiring if I wanted to represent the country. “It was something I didn’t expect at all and I was just so happy. I couldn’t believe it. “My father was very happy because he loves football. He tells all his friends and family back home. My mum is a bit more worried because I go away to play for a few weeks in different countries, but she’s still proud as well.” Kouhyar didn’t play that time as he suffered a knee injury, ruling him out for three months. But last August the youngster finally got to wear his national colours, stepping out for his homeland against Oman in a 2-0 defeat in Muscat. Unrest in Afghanistan has meant the nation has played just one home game in Kabul since 2003, a 3-0 friendly win over Pakistan. Kouhyar is desperate to see football return to the nation in his playing career and hopes he can be the one to lead the team out, as captain. He said: “The debut was really good. I was very nervous because I knew my family would be watching on television in Afghanistan. I was thinking about them before the game. Thinking that I needed to play good to make them proud.
“The football has developed and they have a league no, but it’s hard to focus on football over there. Conditions aren’t easy.
“I hope one day I can captain the side. That would be one of the biggest moments in my life.
Amazing
“It’s quite dangerous so we play our home games in Tajikistan. A lot of players in the national side play in Germany, Holland and Denmark so it’s quite interesting when we all get together.
“I hope to play in the country of my birth one day. That’s the dream. Hopefully, the conditions will get better and it would be amazing to play in front of your own people and your family as well.
“You want football to bring people together.”
Kouhyar has been working hard to establish himself in the Walsall first team this season, making almost 20 appearances in all competitions.
His sole goal so far this term was a memorable one, clinching a 1-1 draw away to Rochdale in the 90th minute in December.
The ambitious midfielder has set his sights on nailing down a starting position next season and pays tribute to boss Jon Whitney for instilling belief in his own ability.
“I think it has been a good breakthrough season for me, I’ve had a lot of appearances under my belt and a few more starts,” he added.
“It gives you confidence because you feel like you belong at the club a lot more. I hope I can kick on.”