By Mark Baber
November 17 – A number of foreign footballers signing up to play for Somali sides before the start of the new championship which kicks off on December 19 is being hailed as a significant indicator of the game’s progress in the war-torn country.
Despite the civil war, Somalia’s Nation Link Telecom championship has continued to function with the help of FIFA. Now at least eight players, including four Kenyans, two Nigerians and two Ugandans have signed up to play in the 2014-15 edition.
Somali Football Federation Media Officer Shafi’i Mohyaddin Abokar issued statement on saying:”The show up of foreign players in the country is very noteworthy – some six clubs in the national league have transferred more players, so this is a remarkable progress for Somalia which is now recovering from decades-long anarchy.”
According to Abokar, “Somali football is now recuperating from the wounds caused by the lack of stability we experienced for dozens of years and the path for more progress has now reopened.”
As Somalia emerges from years of conflict, the Somalia’s FA has also been able to host FIFA level courses as well as sending officers abroad for training.
The hope is that where international footballers no longer fear to tread, international sponsors may now follow, ending the Somali Football Federation’s dependence on financial assistance from FIFA.
The names of the players and clubs they have joined were released to the press and they include the following intrepid pioneers:
HEEGAN FC: Mohamed Zubairu (Nigeria), Samsoniyke Chukwu (Nigeria)
GAADIIDKA: Lehman Meheso Mwenza (Kenya)
SAHAFI FC: Ambrose Mumo Kulakalatai (Kenya)
ELMAN FC: Elungat Martin, (Uganda) Ntaabazi Mubiru Eddie (Uganda) and Mugsha Ivan (Uganda).
DEKADDA: Zubeir Yossuf Oduori(Kenya) OKoro Mattias Ogbokiri(Nigeria)
BANADIR SPORTS CLUB: Marcel Odhambo Oyugi (Kenya) Thomas Mwancu Cuihobi (Kenya) and Mustapha .I. Maxwell (Nigeria).
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