African football icons, Samuel Eto’o, Emmanuel Adebayor, and Jay-Jay Okocha, have touched down in Mogadishu, Somalia’s capital, to headline a landmark exhibition match, marking the return of high-profile football to the country.
After more than three decades of conflict and silence on the football front, Somalia is stepping back onto the international sports stage in a spectacular way.
Set to unfold at the historic Mogadishu Stadium on Tuesday, the much-anticipated game will see the legendary trio square off with Somali counterparts in what is being billed as the Legendary Peace Tour.
The initiative seeks to symbolize Somalia’s determination to revive its sporting spirit and reshape global perceptions of the country.
The Somali Football Federation emphasized that the exhibition is more than just a game, it’s a signal to the world that Somalia is ready to re-engage with international football. Delegates from both FIFA and the Confederation of African Football are expected to attend, further underlining the occasion’s significance.
“Somalia being able to host matches at Mogadishu stadium is a massive boost for our football profile,” said Ali Abdi Mohamed, President of the Somali Football Federation.
“The objective is to show that our stadiums are ready to host high-calibre matches. We want to identify the remaining gaps to meet international standards,” he added.
The return of global football stars to Somalia is particularly poignant; it’s the first time since the 1970s that players of such renown have graced the city.
The Mogadishu Stadium itself once stood tall as a top-tier venue in East Africa, hosting major tournaments such as the 1977 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup.
However, decades of civil unrest transformed the stadium into a military stronghold.
It served variously as a base for UN peacekeepers and later as a post for African Union Mission troops safeguarding the government. It wasn’t until 2020 that restoration efforts brought the stadium back to life.
“By hosting players of this calibre, our aim is to encourage and convince on Somalia’s suitability to host international fixtures – both club and national,” said Mohamed. “It has been a long time since we’ve hosted a match of this level.”
The match will open its gates free of charge, with thousands of football-hungry fans expected to pack the stands.
Security measures have been significantly heightened to ensure a safe and successful event.
Following the match, Eto’o, Adebayor, and Okocha are scheduled to meet President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud at the presidential palace—a gesture that solidifies the national importance of this historic event.
“We hope Somali people will help change the image, attend in high numbers and show their support,” said the SFF president. “Our people deserve football. Our youth deserve to dream again.”
With this monumental event, Somalia is not just staging a football match, it is reigniting hope and ambition.
The return of the beautiful game signals a new era, one where Somali youth can dare to dream of kicking their own balls onto the world stage.
