The Taleban banned football players from wearing a proper kit

The match, dubbed a Game of Unity, ended in a 3-1 victory to the international peacekeepers.

It was a deeply symbolic game as the former Taleban regime used the stadium for public executions, floggings and amputations.

Taleban leaders also banned footballers from wearing shorts and short-sleeves, and religious police often tried to force spectators to say prayers during half-time.

Most crucially, it was indicative of the end of Afghanistan's diplomatic and sporting isolation.

Afghan sportsmen found it virtually impossible to get visas to compete abroad during the years of Taleban rule.

And at the last Olympics Afghanistan was the only nation not to participate because the Taleban government was not recognised.

As a result international-class sports-people have had to wait while their best competing years slipped away.

International help

But now the Afghans can count on international assistance.

The Afghan players' skills were praised by their English coach

In keeping with the sporting spirit, the teams played with a ball signed by members of England's Manchester United and Liverpool teams.

The Afghan team was also coached by the former England and Tottenham player Gary Mabbutt and former Southampton manager Lawrie McMenemy.

They had praised the ball skills of the Afghan players, but were less complimentary about the pitch which is in a very poor condition.

Ironically, Afghanistan is not considered to have a great football tradition, being better known for martial arts and wrestling.

However despite losing to the peacekeepers, their enthusiasm could not be doubted.