Afghanistan vs India Highlights: Follow CAFA Nations Cup 2025 Replay

The Khalid Jamil-led Indian football team will play their last group stage match in the CAFA Nations Cup 2025 against Afghanistan. For the Blue Tigers, this is a must-win affair if they aim to feature in the third-place match on September 8.

India can also play the final if they win this match and Iran loses out on three points against Afghanistan, which is highly unlikely.

MATCH DAY! 🔵🔵⚔️⚔️A crucial fixture awaits as Khalid Jamil's men take on familiar foes Afghanistan in an all-important final group stage encounter in the CAFA Nations Cup 2025! #IndianFootball #IndianFootballTeam #BlueTigers pic.twitter.com/nAyNF7cYoP

— Khel Now (@KhelNow) September 4, 2025

India were flying high after a victorious start to Khalid Jamil’s era as the head coach of the national team. The Blue Tigers defeated Tajikistan after 17 years. However, they got the reality check in the next match as Iran brushed them aside with a comprehensive 3-0 win.

A resilient defensive display was a big positive for India after the loss against Iran. Against Afghanistan, the Indian team will only be aiming for three points.

The Stakes

India

This is the real test for the Indian team. A must-win affair against a team that is at par in terms of quality. India lost to Afghanistan in the World Cup qualifiers. It was a shocking result considering fans expect India to be consistent against teams from South Asia. That result put an end to all the possibilities of India qualifying for the third round.

Khalid Jamil would be looking at all three points from this game as he would not want to miss out on an opportunity to play another match against a high-quality opponent. In the first two matches, his team displayed the ability to defend strongly, but in this match, the onus will be on them to create chances.

Afghanistan

Afghanistan have been knocked out of the competition after two consecutive losses against Iran and Tajikistan. However, they still have a chance to salvage something from the tournament. Coach Vincenzo Alberte Annese will use this fixture to prepare for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers against Pakistan in October.

The biggest positive for Afghanistan from this campaign would be their impressive outing against Iran. They also scored a goal against the mighty defending CAFA Nations Cup champions. Against India, they would have more opportunities to create goal-scoring chances. Annese’s team will have to be clinical and convert their chances.

Team News

India would be missing their warrior centre-back Sandesh Jhingan against Afghanistan. Jhingan also captained India against Iran. He will miss the action due to a broken jaw, an injury that he suffered during the match against Iran.

Afghanistan will have the full at their disposal against India in their last CAFA Nations Cup 2025 fixture.

Probable Lineups

India (4-4-1-1)

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (GK); Valpuia Rahul Bheke, Anwar Ali, Muhammed Uvais; Suresh Singh, Nikhil Prabhu, Naorem Mahesh Singh, Ashique Kuruniyan; Virkam Partap Singh, Jithin MS

Afghanistan (4-1-4-1)

Faisal Hamidi (GK), Elias Mansor, Mahboob Hanifi, Sharif Mukhammad, Amid Arezou, Zelfy Nazary, Maziar Kouhyar, Mohammad Naeem Rahimi, Yama Sherzad, Omid Musawi, Taufee Skandari

Head-to-Head

Matches Played – 13

India wins: 7

Draws: 4

Afghanistan Wins: 2

Telecast Details

The CAFA Nations Cup match between India and Afghanistan will take place on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at the Hisor Central Stadium, Hisor. The match will kick off at 5:30 PM IST. It will be streamed live on Fancode.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.