The facility which experienced very miserable
history in recent years, has finally regained its stunning shape and was able
to host a football match after its renovation. It was 2004 when the national facility hosted its
last football league and since then it has been a base for Ethiopian troops,
then AL Shabaab and finally hosted AU peacekeepers in the country before they
vacated on 28 August 2018.
Today at 16:55 East Africa time, Somalia has seen a
historic moment as the president of the federal republic of Somalia, His
Excellency Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, was escorted to the field of play by the
minister for youth and sport Hon. Khadija Mohamed Diriye and Somali Football
Federation president, Abdiqani Said Arab, where the president of the nation had
the honour to kick the first ball and announce the reopening of Stadium
Mogadishu. Somali Military sports Club, Horseed SC won the
re-inaugural match of the facility after defeating Mogadishu City Club 2-1 in
the competitive match.
The president of the federal republic of Somalia his Excellency Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, commended Somali Football Federation for embracing a huge task in developing the country’s football, as he understands football’s role in peace building and public integration in the country.
"I recognize that you and your team are doing a good job” the president of the federal republic of Somalia His Excellency Mohamed Abdulahi Mohamed, told Somali Football Federation president, Abdiqani Said Arab during his stay at Stadium Mogadishu. The reopening of Stadium Mogadishu is regarded as a major achievement for the country’s football family, according to Somali Football Federation (SFF) president, Abdiqani Said Arab.
"On behalf of Somali Football family, I would like to thank Somali government for making everything possible to get Stadium Mogadishu back into use” SFF president said. "I am sending a big thank you to the minister for youth and sports Hon. Khadija Mohamed Diriye, who has been working round the clock to make sure that we all witness this beautiful day of the re-launch of Stadium Mogadishu” SFF president added.
He announced that from today, Ocean Stars Home is fully available for use and that Somalia will be able to host its home games in the country. "Somali people love football very much more than any other sport and I am now very pleased that the country’s largest football facility is available for use” SFF president Abdiqani Said Arab noted.
To read more about the facility’s history, please click on the below URL https://www.somsoccer.com/english/articles/1179/Luckier-teams-picked-up-for-1st-football-match-to-be-played-in-Stadium-Mogadishu-since-2004
Somali Football Federation Media Department
Email:info@somsoccer.com