African Legends Lead Historic 8–4 Football Win in Mogadishu

Somalia marked a historic moment in its sporting history with an exhibition football match in Mogadishu featuring African football legends Samuel Eto’o, Emmanuel Adebayor, and Jay-Jay Okocha, signaling the country's efforts to restore its international football standing after decades of conflict. The match, part of a FIFA-backed "Legendary Peace Tour," drew thousands of fans and was seen as a demonstration of Somalia’s improved security and readiness to host international fixtures again, with officials from FIFA and CAF present to assess infrastructure and safety. Mogadishu Stadium, once damaged and used by insurgents and peacekeepers, has been renovated and reopened, symbolizing national revival and the desire to reintegrate Somalia into the global sporting community. Somali officials and visiting players emphasized the match's significance beyond sport, highlighting it as a step toward changing global perceptions of Somalia and inspiring a new generation of athletes. The visit also included tours of key facilities and meetings with government leaders to discuss meeting FIFA and CAF standards for hosting official matches. The event was widely hailed as a defining moment in Somalia’s post-conflict recovery and ambition to rejoin international football.