Cafa Nations Cup 2025: Khalid Jamil is confronted with a big first test like India Boss Road to Tajikistan

India starts on Friday with his very first Cafa Nations Cup 2025 campaign against host Tajikistan in the Hisor Central Stadium in Hisor, Tajikistan,.

The Blue Tigers are placed in group B, where they will play Iran (September 1) and Afghanistan (September 4), after the hosts. Group A now consists of hosts Uzbekistan, Kyrgyz Republic, Turkmenistan and Oman.

The top teams of each group play each other in the final, while the two second placed teams are confronted in third place, both play on 8 September.

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India chief coach Khalid Jamil sounded satisfied with the 10-day preparation camp on his side in Bengaluru, prior to the tournament.

«We had a good preparation for the Cafa Nations Cup. Every player worked hard before we came here. It’s a pleasure for us to participate in this tournament,» he said.

Jamil is fully aware of the threats that the opponents are for India (133rd in the FIFA ranking), but is more intention on the Blue Tigers who play their own game.

«Yes, we know about them (Tadjikistan). They are a strong side and have done well lately. But we have to concentrate on our own game and be mentally prepared,» said Jamil.

«It is important for us to play as a unity and to keep improving every game. The process takes time. We want to concentrate on both the juniors and the seniors to build a strong unity for future competitions.»

The head coach of India emphasized the importance of spreading positivity in the team.

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“We have to think fresh, we have to think positively. Yes, this is an away game against a good team, but we have to prepare themselves accordingly and only think one thing – a positive result. All players must take responsibility. I feel that we are ready to take on this challenge.

India and Tadjikistan have played each other in history five times, with the Central -Asian country won three. The only victory of the Blue Tigers against Tajikistan came to the AFC Challenge Cup 2008 final, where India defeated the Persian lions 4-1.

That result was 18 years ago, and Tadjikistan (106th in the FIFA ranking) are now a different side.

Published on August 28, 2025