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Samuel Eto’o, Emmanuel Adebayor, and Jay-Jay Okocha visit Mogadishu to support Somalia’s peace and unity efforts through a historic football initiative.
On Wednesday, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud welcomed three of Africa’s football legends — Samuel Eto’o, Emmanuel Adebayor, and Jay-Jay Okocha — to the Presidential Palace in Mogadishu. Their visit marks a big moment in Somalia’s efforts to rebuild its image and promote peace through the power of sports.
President Mohamud praised the visit as a sign of progress, saying it reflects growing trust in Somalia’s security and development. “This visit by our African brothers is a reminder of how far Somalia has come. It also shows our shared commitment to peace, unity, and empowering the youth through sport,” he said.
The meeting was attended by several key figures in Somali and regional football, including the Minister of Youth and Sports Mohamed Abdiqadir Cali, Somali Football Federation President Ali Abdi Mohamed, and officials from the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA). Among them were Augustino Maduot Parek, the South Sudan Football Association President, and Suleiman Hassan Waberi, the President of Djibouti’s Football Federation and a member of the FIFA Council.
The visit came a day after a historic exhibition match held at Mogadishu Stadium. The match brought together the visiting football stars and Somali players who are based abroad. Thousands of fans filled the stadium to watch the game, creating a rare moment of joy and unity in the capital. Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre was also present at the event, showing the government’s strong support for the initiative.
This match was part of a broader “peace tour” supported by FIFA. The goal of the tour is to show that Somalia is ready to host international sports events and to use football as a tool to promote peace and pride among its people. By involving international football icons, the event also aimed to inspire young Somalis to pursue their dreams and stay hopeful for a better future.
President Mohamud used the opportunity to reaffirm his government’s dedication to sports. He said the government is committed to building better sports facilities, supporting local talent, and making sports an important part of Somalia’s social development and peacebuilding efforts.
The presence of football legends like Eto’o, Adebayor, and Okocha is seen as a major milestone in Somalia’s return to the international sports scene. Their visit sends a strong message that Somalia is moving forward and that sports can play a big role in bringing people together and building a peaceful nation.
In a country that has faced decades of conflict, the sight of thousands of fans celebrating a football match together, and the presence of global stars in Mogadishu, offered a powerful symbol of hope and change. For many young Somalis, it was a moment they will never forget — a reminder that through unity, resilience, and the love of sport, Somalia can look forward to a brighter future.