Wednesday May 28, 2025
Mogadishu (HOL) — A historic peace football match held at Mogadishu Stadium on Tuesday brought together African football legends, thousands of spectators, and top regional sports leaders, marking a symbolic moment of unity, recovery, and hope for Somalia’s sporting future.
The match, attended by the President of the Council of East and Central African Football Associations (CECAFA), Augustino Parek Maduot, featured legendary players including Samuel Eto’o, Jay-Jay Okocha, and Emmanuel Adebayor, who played alongside Somali Premier League stars against a squad of former Ocean Stars.
Also present at the stadium were Somalia’s Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre and Djibouti Football Federation President and FIFA Council Member Suleiman Waberi, who both joined the celebration of sport and peace in a country long affected by conflict.
“We must always support our members in the Zone. It is always good to be united as a Football family,” said CECAFA President Maduot, expressing his solidarity with Somalia’s sporting revival.
The event, described as Somalia’s most prominent sporting gathering since the civil war, was watched by thousands of jubilant fans. Though the final score of 8–4 in favor of the legends-led squad was noted, the spirit of the match went far beyond competition — it represented the revival of national pride and a renewed sense of unity.
Prime Minister Barre called the match a major milestone in rebuilding Somalia’s sports identity, saying: “The presence of international stars and sports leaders shows that global confidence in Somalia is returning.”
Beyond the symbolism, the match served practical purposes. It was also used to assess Somalia’s preparedness to host international fixtures and to showcase the ongoing efforts to upgrade the country's national sports infrastructure.
The visiting football icons are expected to stay in Mogadishu for several days, touring local facilities and meeting with officials to discuss strategies for rebuilding and promoting Somali football.
Their presence has already begun to inspire a new generation of Somali athletes and send a message to the international sports community: Somalia is ready to rejoin the global stage.