Thursday May 29, 2025
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Wednesday welcomed African football legends Samuel Eto’o, Emmanuel Adebayor, and Jay-Jay Okocha at the Presidential Palace in Mogadishu, marking a powerful moment in Somalia’s efforts to rebuild its global image through sports.
The President hailed the visit as a symbol of progress, noting that the presence of international sports icons reflects growing confidence in Somalia’s security gains and national recovery.
“This visit by our African brothers is a reminder of how far Somalia has come. It also underlines our shared commitment to peace, unity, and the empowerment of youth through sport,” said President Mohamud.
The high-level meeting was also attended by Youth and Sports Minister Mohamed Abdiqadir Cali, Somali Football Federation President Ali Abdi Mohamed, and CECAFA representatives, including South Sudan FA President Augustino Maduot Parek and Djibouti FA President Suleiman Hassan Waberi, who is also a FIFA Council Member.
Their visit comes a day after a historic peace match at Mogadishu Stadium, where the football legends joined foreign-based Somali Premier League players in a widely celebrated exhibition match. Thousands packed the stadium in a rare moment of unity and celebration, with Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre in attendance.
Supported by FIFA, the event formed part of a broader “peace tour” initiative aimed at showcasing Somalia’s readiness to host international fixtures and reignite national pride through sport. It also served as a platform to inspire Somali youth and strengthen international ties through sports diplomacy.
President Hassan Sheikh reiterated his government’s commitment to investing in sports infrastructure, nurturing local talent, and playing sports a pillar of social development and peacebuilding.
The visit by Eto’o, Adebayor, and Okocha is seen as a milestone in Somalia’s reintegration into global sporting circles and a sign that the nation is slowly but steadily returning to the international stage.
