The Afghanistan Football Federation announced on Tuesday that Italian coach Vincenzo Alberto Annese has been formally appointed as the new head coach of the country’s national football team.
Annese, 40, brings international experience to the role, having previously coached national teams in Belize and Thailand, as well as club teams in Indonesia, Palestine, Ghana, Lithuania, Kosovo, Belarus and India.
His first official match in charge will be against Syria on June 10, as part of the third qualifying round for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.
The federation expressed hope that under Annese’s leadership, the national team would improve its performance in upcoming competitions.
Annese’s appointment comes as Afghanistan looks to revitalize its football program amid broader challenges facing sports development in the country.
