The Somali government and Mogadishu City Club have jointly condemned the recent incident in Nairobi involving a young supporter of the club kicking the Kenyan flag during their CAF Champions League clash with Kenya Police FC, urging fans to uphold peace and unity through football.
Speaking at the Somali Embassy in Nairobi, Somalia’s Ambassador to Kenya, Jabril Ibrahim Abdulle, welcomed the Mogadishu City Club team, stressing that the regrettable actions of a few individuals during last week’s match should not overshadow the spirit of sportsmanship and the growing ties between Kenya and Somalia.
“Today, it is my great honour to welcome Mogadishu City Club to our embassy. Their presence is a testament to Somali sportsmanship and the dreams they carry for countless young fans across our nation. We, however, regret and firmly condemn the action of a few individuals whose behaviour overshadowed the remarkable performances of our two teams,” said Amb. Abdulle.
He reiterated that the incident did not reflect the values of respect, friendship and sovereignty that underpin Kenya, Somalia relations, noting that bilateral cooperation was at one of its strongest points in recent history.
“Our two nations are bound by growing cooperation in trade, investment, education, security, cultural exchange and sports. This flourishing partnership reflects mutual trust and a shared vision for peace, stability and prosperity in Africa,” he reaffirmed.
Amb. Abdulle commended the Kenya Police Service, Kenya Police Football Club administration, Football Kenya Federation (FKF), and Sports Kenya for their professionalism in managing the match and ensuring the safety of players and fans.
“We remain in close communication with Kenyan authorities to ensure both teams and their supporters feel safe, respected and supported as the tournament continues. I call upon all communities to uphold peace and mutual respect as Mogadishu City and Kenya Police prepare for the second leg this Sunday,” he added, urging fans to view football as a bridge of friendship and African unity.
“Football is more than a game. It is a unifier of people, a reflection of African unity and sportsmanship. Let us preserve the true spirit of the beautiful game, ensuring it remains a source of harmony and shared aspirations for a prosperous future,” he rallied.
The Ambassador expressed confidence that Sunday’s match would be a memorable experience and praised the leadership of both teams for their commitment.
Concurrently, Mogadishu City Club head coach Ali Abubakar, who described himself as a proud Somali Kenyan, strongly disassociated the club from the incident.
“We strongly condemn the unfortunate incident during our CAF Champions League match against Police FC where a few individuals disrespected the Kenyan flag. Those actions do not in any way represent our club, our players or our fans. On behalf of Mogadishu City Club, we sincerely apologize to the government and people of Kenya,” said Coach Abubakar, emphasizing that football must stand for unity, respect and friendship.
“We fully support any action taken against those individuals. Football is about respect, and we want to appreciate the incredible turnout and passion of the fans during our game. Your support gives life to the sport and shows the true spirit of football,” he added.
Coach Abubakar reiterated the club’s commitment to promoting peace and harmony both on and off the pitch, urging fans to continue turning out in numbers for upcoming matches.
“We know sport unites communities and we assure everyone that the security of the match is well guaranteed. What happened was unacceptable, and we condemn it. Authorities will handle the matter appropriately, and we ask fans to remain focused on enjoying the game,” he reaffirmed.
Additionally, Abubakar reminded supporters that stadiums bring together people from diverse backgrounds, making it essential to safeguard the image of the sport.
“Our issue is clear. That kind of behaviour should not be tolerated. We are not part of it, and such incidents must never be repeated,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, the Somali ambassador and Mogadishu City Head coach pledged to continue working closely with stakeholders to ensure the CAF tournament proceeds in a spirit of peace and brotherhood.
by Darlene Wambui & Naif Rashid
