Once 'a no-go city' at nights, Somalia's capital Mogadishu, has witnessed an evening filled with exhilarations, as the city's FIFA-renovated Stadium Banadir hosted its first nocturnal football match for over three decades.

Waaberi football team has won the 3^rd edition of the district level youth football competition after thrashing their Hodan district opponents 3-1 in the final match on Friday evening, 8^th of September. Waaberi took the lead in the 19^th minute of the match when Muhyadin Abdi Dhaqane, scored the opener goal for his team. Two minutes later he doubled making it 2-0 in favor of Waaberi. Soon after the start of the second half, Abdisalaam Hussein, netted the 3^rd goal.

Hodan district boys made many attempts, but they were unable to score. However, Ibrahim Abdirahman, who wears No 20 for Waaberi, awarded them with an own goal in the 65^th minute ending the match 3-1. With this win, the team has been crowned champions of 2017 edition of the district level youth football tourney.

This was Somali Football Federation’s first attempt to test its capacity to hold football matches at night times, but the test match has completely changed the city’s night life, as the stadium became full to its capacity.

Somali Football Federation president, Abdiqani Said Arab, said that the organization of the youth football tournaments in the country was a fruitful attempt that has so far yielded positive results, adding the Somalia’s minister for youth and sports, honorable Khadjia Mohamed Diriye, is more praiseworthy for helping the development of the beautiful game in Somalia.

"This is the second time that Mrs. Khadija is serving as our minister. Since she was once again appointed as a minister nearly six months ago, she did play a huge role in the promotion of football. I commend our minister for mainly contributing to the development of the game. She is the most-hardworking and football-loving minister we ever had” SFF president, noted.

The minister added that football is a powerful game and Somalia needs football more than any other country in the world as it plays a big role in introducing peace into the country. "As a government, football is our main priority. We use the sport as a tool of peace building and stability and that is why the government wants the increase of football competitions in the country” the minister said.

"The federal government is committed to increasing its support to help the Somali football federation, get more young people into its competitions, because we witnessed that football’s power can change the atmosphere in Somalia” she explained.

However, the minister announced that preparations for the second edition of the Inter-state football tournament to be staged in the Key port city of Kismayo, south of the country are ongoing very well.

Somali Football Federation Media Department

Email:info@somsoccer.com