Afghanistan vs Tajikistan: CAFA Nations Cup Prediction (01.09.2025)

On Monday, September 1, at 17:30 CEST, at the Central Stadium in Hisor, the national football teams of Afghanistan and Tajikistan will meet in the second round of Group B of the CAFA Nations Cup 2025. Both sides lost their opening matches: Afghanistan fell 1-3 to Iran, while Tajikistan suffered a 1-2 defeat against India.

There is no playoff system in this tournament. The team finishing first in the group qualifies directly for the final, while the second-placed team advances to the bronze medal match. Therefore, this Afghanistan vs Tajikistan prediction takes into account the maximum motivation of both sides. Dropping points here essentially means losing any medal hopes.

Afghanistan

Vincenzo Alberto Annese’s side had no major ambitions for medals in this competition. The “Afghan Lions” are a semi-professional team that has never reached final stages of continental tournaments. The CAFA Nations Cup is their chance to compete without going through qualifying. Currently, Afghanistan is on a seven-match losing streak, including defeats to Nepal, Thailand, Syria, and Myanmar.

Tajikistan

For Gela Shekiladze’s men, losing at home to India was an unpleasant surprise. Historically, the “Persian Lions” had a positive record against India, and even the odds before kickoff favored them. But by the 13th minute, they were already down 0-2. Shahrom Samiev pulled one back in the first half, and Tajikistan had a late chance to equalize, but Istiklol Dushanbe’s 22-year-old striker missed a penalty. Now, two wins in the remaining group games are the only way to save their tournament hopes.

Head-to-head statistics

The teams have met six times, mostly in friendlies. Tajikistan won five times, and one match ended in a draw.

Prediction

Head-to-head meetings clearly show that the “Persian Lions” are stronger than the “Afghan Lions”. Playing at home, Tajikistan will be fully motivated to redeem themselves after the loss to India.

The bet: Tajikistan -1 handicap