SAFF champions Afghanistan to get cash and flats as rewards

Afghanistan players hold the trophy after emerging victorious over India in the SAFF Cup

Afghanisthan president Hamid Karzai has announced rewards of cash and free flats for the players of the Afghan national team for winning the SAFF Cup. The goalkeeper will receive extra gifts for his stellar performance between the sticks NDTV Sports reports.

Celebratory gun fire was heard throughout the nation as the Afghan team triumphed over India in the SAFF final in Kathmandu. The win gives the people something to cheer about after experiencing years of war.

Karzai announced the reward of a free two-room apartment and 100,000 Afghanis ($1,800) in cash at his Palace where he entertained the players after their victory.

The goalkeeper Mansur Faqiryar was handed $20,000 in cash and a free apartment for his performance in the tournament where he made a string of impressive saves in all the games to help his team reach the finals.

Faqiryar saved two penalties against Nepal and shut out India in the final.

“Since you won the championship, all the people, all the country have been celebrating the victory and are happy,” Karzai told the team

“You are the reason for the joy and happiness our people are feeling after all these years of misery, war and disaster.”

Afghanisthan now stand at 132 in the FIFA rankings and hope to continue their performance in the AFC Cup which will be played in the Maldives in 2014.