Joyous Mogadishu cheers Galmudug's historic football triumph

Celebratory fire engulfed Mogadishu as thousands of Galmudug State fans poured into the streets of the city to celebrate winning their first Inter-States football trophy on penalties against Hirshabelle State in a hotly contested match played at the Mogadishu stadium.

The match, earlier postponed on Saturday due to security concerns, kicked off today at 3pm. The seaside city came to a standstill as all eyes and ears were on the match.

In the streets and coffee shops, discussions were all about the match. Even women were talking about football in this traditional society and openly celebrating the beautiful game. In fact, they poured into the stadium in their thousands to show their support.

Supporters cheer their favorite team while draped in the team's flag.

Around 60,000 fans clad in their respective teams’ colors and waving flags attended the final according to the Somalia Football Federation (SFF). They came into the stadium early, almost filling the 65,000-sitter stadium.

Security forces had a difficult time controlling the crowds outside the stadium where huge crowds gathered as early as 8 am this morning, eight hours ahead of the kick-off time. Inside the stadium, fans danced and sang, giving the match an electrifying passion.

Both sets of passionate fans pushed their teams to glory. The match was tight and ended goalless after normal time elapsed. The match was finally decided by penalties. Galmudug scored four spot kicks while Hirshabelle only managed to score one.

Galmudug goalkeeper Abdisalan Ali Abdulle was the hero. He saved two of Hirshabelle State players' spot kicks. His heroics and his team's win were hugely celebrated across Galmudug State with the biggest crowds seen in Dhusamareb and Galkaayo towns in Galmudug.

Even in Nairobi’s Eastleigh neighborhood inhabited by Somalis, Galmudug fans did not hide their support.

Mumtaz Mohamed a Galmudug State fan waving the teams flag.

Galmudug fans in the stadium immediately ran onto the pitch to start their celebration which later culminated in a frenzy jubilation as the fans made their way into the city on their way home. They took over the streets, walking and hooting cars as their fans waved Galmudug and Somalia flags while singing and dancing.

An elated fans draped in Galmudug State flag and waving a flag Mumtaz Mohamed said “today is my happiest day seeing my team win their first Inter-State trophy.”

“This trophy eluded us last year when we reached the final but lost to Banaadir. This is our year, and we are so happy and elated to finally win it. Congratulations to Hirshabelle for holding us to a barren draw but luck was with us, and we won on penalties,” Mumtaz Mohamed told Eastleigh Voice after the march.

Hirshabelle State fan Mohamed Ali said his team did their best, but that luck was not their side.

“Penalties have no expert. It was not our day today our players they did their best but there can be only one winner. It pains losing a final, but we must accept and move on,” he said on his way home in a hoarse voice looking dejected.

Somalia Football Federation, which organized the tournament jointly with the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Federal Member States congratulated Galmudug for emerging winners and praised Hirshabelle State, Jubaland, Southwest State, and Banadir Regional Administration for taking part in the tournament. Puntland State did not participate in this year’s tournament.

“We are glad and happy the tournament ended successfully. This was one of the best Inter-States football tournaments with the most passionate fans and which we saw record numbers attend the games. This shows football is a unifying sport and is really loved in Somalia. Congratulations to the winners Galmudug State as well as to HirShabelle State and the other Federal States that took part in this year’s tournament. Somalia football is back and will continue to grow strong,” SFF President Ali Abdi Mohamed (Ali Shine) told Eastleigh Voice.