African football legends light up Mogadishu in historic peace match
On Tuesday, thousands of Somalis, young and old, filled the Mogadishu Stadium with infectious energy to witness a landmark exhibition football match.
The event, part of a FIFA-supported “peace tour,” was aimed at restoring Somalia’s image on the global stage and signal its readiness to rejoin international football.
The main attraction was a star-studded African Legends team featuring three of Africa’s football icons: Samuel Eto’o, former Barcelona star and current president of the Cameroonian Football Federation; Emmanuel Adebayor, the Togolese striker who dazzled at Arsenal, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, and Crystal Palace; and Jay-Jay Okocha, Nigeria’s legendary attacking midfielder with 73 caps and three FIFA World Cup appearances.
They faced off against a Somali Legends side in a thrilling match that ended 8-4 in favor of the visitors.
The event was graced by Somali Prime Minister Hamza Barre, joined by officials from the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) and the Football Association of Djibouti.
The match, described by Somalia’s Ministry of Sports as the country’s first major football event in three decades, was hailed as a “historic day” for a nation striving to move beyond its turbulent past. “This event marks a significant milestone in our efforts to restore the image and strength of Somali sports,” Barre said during the ceremony.
Somalia has faced prolonged internal conflict since 1991, forcing its national team to play home matches in neighboring Djibouti or Morocco due to security concerns. Mogadishu Stadium, once a battleground used by Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab in 2008 and later by African Union peacekeepers, was renovated and reopened in 2020.
Tuesday’s match marked a powerful step toward reclaiming the venue as a hub for sport and unity.
“This match shows the world that Mogadishu is safe and capable of hosting African football. We are ready to change global perceptions of Somalia,” Security Minister Mohamed Ali Haga said.
Security was tightened around the stadium in southern Mogadishu, with hundreds of fans arriving hours early, waving Somali flags and chanting in celebration.
Organizers expressed hope that the match would pave the way for Somalia to host official international fixtures again. The country has formally requested that FIFA and the Confederation of African Football reassess its security situation to allow competitive matches to return to Mogadishu.
“This event marks a significant milestone in our efforts to restore the image and strength of Somali sports,” Barre said during the ceremony.
The electrifying atmosphere, combined with the presence of African football royalty, underscored Somalia’s determination to rebuild and reclaim its place in the global sports community.
As fans left the stadium, their cheers echoed a shared vision: a future where Somalia’s football dreams are no longer confined by its past.
