Elman FC Beats SITT By One Nil

By Shafi'i Mohyaddin Abokar

Elman, a prominent first division football club in Somalia gave a one nil lead to its SITT opponents in a prominent match during the on-going Somali Football championship games on Thursday with the presence of Somali NOC and FA presidents.

"Most of you are national team members and this is a very hot game that assembled such big number of spectators. We want you to show good exhibition and fair play," chairman of Somali Football federation competitions committee Ali Abdi Mohamed told both teams before the match.

From right: Somali Football Federation President Said Mahmoud Nur, Salaam Somali Bank head of public relations department Ahmed Ali Galool, SFF deputy secretary General Abukar Islow Hassan and Somali Noc president Aden Hajji Yabarow)

Thursday's match was the most popular and as well as the hardest since the first division championship restarted in Mogadishu last month. Each of the struggling teams tried its utmost to win in Thursday's game. But it was Elman's lucky day to win the championship match.

Elman FC and the national team striker Abdi Aziz Mohamed Ali scored the lone goal for his team in the 34th minute of the first half of the match. The SITT boys made many attempts, but they lost more scoring opportunities. The result of the competition ended in 1-0 in favor of Elman boys.

Striker Abdi Aziz Mohamed Ali has four goals running after Abdulkadir Mohiyadin of Somali Military Club 'Horseed' who is currently leading the tournament goal scoring contest with five goals.

An estimate of 20,000 spectators were watching Thursdays' Elman-STII clash. The game attracted many high profile Somali sports staff, government officials and businesmen.

The president of Somali National Olympic committee Aden Hajji Yabarow (Wiish) and SFF President Said Mahmoud Nur were among the top officials to watch the game. Mayor Mahmoud Ahmed Nur of Somali capital and SFF deputy secretary General Abukar Islow Hassan were also among the prominent spectators of the game.

At least one 3rd of Thursday's match viewers came from various Somali regions. They rrived in Mogadishu for the past several days in preparations for watching Elamn-SITT play.

As shown in the fixtures of the championship, Banaadir Telecom will play against Supper Shell on Friday afternoon. Saturday and Sunday will be rest days for the players.

The match was officiated by International referee Mohamed Hassan Fidow. They were assisted by Osman Abdi Osman and Aweys Nur Ahmed, both international assistant referees. Likewise, Mohamed Abokar was the fourth official. Former international referee Hassan Sheylilah Adde was the match commissioner.

Shafi'i Mohyaddin Abokar is the NewsBlaze Somalia reporter. Contact him through NewsBlaze.