The team was received at the airport by officials from
Rwandan FA and Somali FA executive, Amir Abdi Hassan, who arrived in Kigali a
day before to help arrange the team’s accommodation.
The second leg will be staged in Nairobi, Kenya where
Somali FA will use to host its home game, as the country’s National facility [Stadium
Mogadishu] was not yet ready for use, because it hosts thousands of African
Union peacekeepers. The second leg match will take place on 9th of
May.
Before flying from Mogadishu’s Aden Abdulle International Airport, a farewell party was organized for the team at Villa Sultan restaurant which saw the presence of Somali government officials and as well as NOCSOM and SFF leaders.
Somali Football Federation Senior vice president, Ali
Abdi Mohamed, who first addressed at the farewell party, urged the team to
engage in huge efforts to try to score success for the nation.
"Your trip to Rwanda today is mainly to pave the way for your
long way to Rio 2016, so to reach that goal we need every one of you to work as
double” the senior vice president told the national team members, before
welcoming Somali National Olympic committee secretary General, Duran Ahmed
Farah, to the platform.
The NOCSOM official said that more than two decades of
bloodshed in the country, sporting associations made the Somali flag wave over
international sporting gatherings and despite difficulties this would mean that
Somalia was still sharing something with the rest of the world.
"I know how painful it is that your home game will be
taking place in another country, but bear in mind that you will one day host
other national teams at home. You are all national ambassadors, because you are
carrying the Somalia flag on your shoulders and I wish you to win” the Somali
NOC secretary General told the team during his address.
Somali FA president, Abdiqani Said Arab, added that
Somali government’s commitment to help football promotion in the country was a
huge encouragement for the federation and the national team as well.
"It is an honor for the SFF that our minister who
recently resumed office is always alongside us and his participation of this
farewell ceremony today costs a lot to both the federation and the national
team members” Somali Football Federation (SFF) president Abdiqani Said Arab
noted.
"The president of the nation, Professor Hassan Sheik
Mahmoud, the minister for youth and sport and other key government officials
have several times visited Stadium Banadir and watched games—this is a clear
example for how our government officials are football-loving” the SFF boss
explained.
He suggested that the Somali FA and the ministry for
youth and sport join hands to create a better life for the country’s current
and old football players whom he said had sacrificed themselves for the
promotion of football in the country during decades of lawlessness.
"Honorable minister, here in front of you I want to thank
the two Ugandan coaches, who left their families to train our
team. They are hardworking people and they spent much time and energy to train
the boys” SFF president noted during his address.
Somalia’s minister for youth and sports, Mr. Mohamed
Abdullahi Hassan, who finally addressed at the team’s farewell party, thanked
the Somali FA for its huge efforts to promote football in the country, while urging
the team members to engage in fair play during the matches.
"Today you are
leaving abroad for an international match and you will experience one of three
things which are: either to win, to draw or lose, but the most important advice
I am giving you is to do fair play… fair play… fair play” the minister said
adding that football is all about brotherhood, friendship, peace, development
and integration of communities.
"Somali government is always with you whether you win or
lose” the minister told the country’s U-23 squad before they traveled to Rwanda
on Wednesday.
The 20-member national team, is lead by three coaches who
are: Mbabazi Charles, head coach [Uganda], Saleh Farah
Mohiyadin, assistant coach [Somalia] and James Magala[Uganda] goalkeeper
trainer.
Somali Football Federation Media Department
Email:info@somsoccer.com