CAF chief visits Somalia, pledges to support football

Confederation of African Football president Ahmad Ahmad has pledged to support Somalia develop football noting the country had made significant strides in promoting the sport.

Speaking during his familiarisation tour of football stadia in Mogadishu, the newly elected continental head of football pledged to champion Somalia’s course to advance the sport at the African and FIFA levels.

“Somalia has made remarkable progress in developing football despite the challenges the country has been through over the years. I pledge to speak for this country and source for more support within CAF and FIFA,” Ahmad said.

Ahmad who was accompanied by CECAFA vice president and Somali Football Federal President Abdiqani Said and Djibouti Football Federal president Suleiman Waberi visited University Stadium which is the training camp for the national team and the Mogadishu Stadium which is currently occupied by African Union troops.

The delegation led by Defence Minister Abdirashi Abdullahi Mohamed and his Sports counterpart Khadijo Mohamed Diriye however had to be delayed for over half and hour following security procedures from the Amisom troops who use the stadium as their base.

The media was not allowed entry into the stadium.

The visit by Ahmed is his first assignment since he was elected last month. Ahmad trounced long serving CAF president Issa Hayatou last month to take over reigns of the continental body.