Performing president Ali abdi Mohamed (Picture/Courtesy)
David GOMBE
Somali soccer seems to be approaching an vital juncture, with the subsequent electoral course of drawing nearer whereas a number of longstanding governance points stay unresolved.
For the reason that resignation of former Somali Soccer Federation (SFF) President Abdiqadir Stated Arab, the soccer group has skilled a chronic interval of inner disagreement over management, the standing of member associations, adjustments involving affiliation chairpersons, and the composition and appointment of electoral our bodies.
These developments have created uncertainty amongst stakeholders relating to the independence, inclusiveness, and credibility of the electoral course of. Specifically, questions have been raised about adjustments to the Electoral Committee and the procedures used to ascertain its successor.
Broader considerations additionally encompass the event and efficiency of Somali soccer. In recent times, Somalia’s place within the FIFA World Rating has declined considerably, whereas the home soccer construction has confronted challenges affecting the competitiveness and sustainability of nationwide competitions, together with considerations concerning the continuation of lower-division soccer.
On 22 June 2025, the SFF Congress voted for Omar Mohamoud Nor (Mugambe) to function Performing President, in keeping with stakeholders involved. FIFA and CAF didn’t recognise that call and indicated that the circumstances could be topic to additional examination. The absence of a broadly understood decision has contributed to continued uncertainty amongst stakeholders.
In the meantime, the present management is known to be contemplating one other electoral mandate, whereas some stakeholders have expressed reservations about collaborating in an electoral course of beneath the present circumstances.
Because the election approaches, it is vital that every one events together with the SFF management, member associations, candidates, stakeholders, FIFA, and CAF Â stay dedicated to dialogue, transparency, inclusiveness, and respect for the relevant statutes and laws.
The target shouldn’t be to find out the result in favour of any specific particular person or group. Moderately, the precedence needs to be to ascertain the situations for a reputable, clear, and constitutionally compliant election whose end result can command broad confidence inside the Somali soccer group.
There may be nonetheless a possibility for constructive engagement earlier than present variations turn out to be additional institutionalised. A transparent and inclusive course of, supported by applicable session among the many related stakeholders, may assist forestall competing electoral processes and supply Somali soccer with the steadiness wanted to deal with improvement, competitions, and the nationwide groups.
The way forward for Somali soccer needs to be decided by a reputable course of, respect for the principles, and the collective pursuits of the soccer group.
