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The former Togo national team captain praises Somalia’s peace and passion for football after a landmark match in Mogadishu alongside fellow African legends.
Former Arsenal, Manchester City, and Real Madrid striker Emmanuel Adebayor has described his visit to Somalia for a football exhibition match as a “wonderful” moment in African sport,.
Joined by fellow African legends Jay Jay Okocha and Samuel Eto’o, the Togolese icon took part in a landmark game at Mogadishu’s National Stadium, a venue that has stood as both a symbol of hope and conflict.
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15:39 - 28.05.2025
Why Samuel Eto'o, Emmanuel Adebayor and Jay-Jay Okocha Took to the Pitch in Somalia
Football legends visit Somalia for a landmark match in Mogadishu, sparking hope and signaling a potential return to international games.
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The match, which drew thousands of fans to the newly refurbished 65,000-capacity stadium, is seen as a potential turning point for Somali football.
“This football showcase is truly a historic moment. It marks the day Somalia earned a golden place on the world stage,” said local youth coach and player Cabdulaahi Geesey as per BBC.
Football, Unity and a Dream Fulfilled
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Geesey added, “Sharing the pitch with Okocha, Eto'o and Adebayor, wearing the same kit and even scoring a goal is a dream come true.
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The image these guests will carry back with them is of a peaceful Somalia, a united people and a football culture that is rising once again.
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Adebayor, now 41, praised the atmosphere and expressed his wishes for Somalia’s future: “I know a little bit about Somalia. We just pray for God to give you peace so that you can build your country.”
The game was part of a FIFA-backed “peace tour” aimed at promoting unity through sport in regions affected by conflict.
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Despite the success inside the stadium, the surrounding streets were heavily guarded, a reminder of the nation’s ongoing struggle with Al-Shabab militants, whose recent offensives have kept security forces on high alert.
A Pitch Once Lost to Conflict, Now Full of Promise
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Built in 1977 with Chinese assistance, Mogadishu’s National Stadium has endured decades of turbulence.
It was shut in 1991 following the collapse of Siad Barre’s regime and repurposed repeatedly for military use—by peacekeepers, Ethiopian troops, and even Al-Shabab.
However, a 2020 renovation and a packed reopening match in 2021 between Horseed SC and Mogadishu City Club signaled the stadium's rebirth.
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Djibouti Football Association president Souleiman Waberi, who holds senior roles at CAF and FIFA, believes this exhibition match could be the first step toward Somalia reclaiming its place in international football.
“Maybe the next step will be a friendly match with another country. Then the Somalia FA can send a letter to Caf to request them to come to check the stadium,” Waberi explained.
“If it meets all criteria, Somalia can host international games here in Mogadishu.”
Somalia’s national team, the Ocean Stars, last played competitively on home soil in 1986 and is currently ranked 201st in the world.
Recent qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup were played in Morocco and Mozambique due to security concerns.
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