African Football Legends Set To Visit Somalia On Peace Tour

African Football Legends Set To Visit Somalia On Peace Tour

Renowned African football stars—Austin "Jay Jay" Okocha (Nigeria), Emmanuel Adebayor (Togo), and Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon)—are set to visit Somalia on May 27 as part of the "Legendary Peace Tour."

The visit is seen as a major step in Somalia’s efforts to lift the long-standing ban that has prevented the national team from hosting international matches at home.

The centrepiece of that effort is the recently restored National Stadium in Mogadishu, which hosted its first football match in early 2024 after more than 30 years of disuse.

The stadium, once a war zone and military base—first for Ethiopian troops, then Al-Shabaab militants, and later African Union peacekeepers—was finally returned to Somali authorities in late 2023 and repurposed for sport.

Somalia’s new Minister for Youth and Sport, Mohamed Abdulkadir Ali, a former player himself, announced the visit during a press briefing at the Somali Football Federation (SFF) headquarters.

“The visit of these African legends under the theme ‘The Legendary Peace Tour’ marks a turning point in our history,” said Ali.

“It’s a statement to the world that Somalia is on a new path. There are still requirements we must meet to host home games, but this visit paves the way.”

Upon arrival, the football icons will be welcomed at Eng. Yarisow Stadium before touring the SFF headquarters.

They will then participate in a friendly match at Mogadishu Stadium alongside Somali parliamentarians, government ministers, and former national team players.

The visit will conclude with a meeting at the presidential palace, where the legends will be received by President Dr. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.