National teams of Somalia and Rwanda will be the first to play on 18 August 2007.
Hundreds of football fans gathered out side the hotel to greet the national team, as many other well wishers were standing in lines along the road linking the Hotel to Mogadishu ’s Aden Adde International airport on Monday Morning.
“We are very hopeful of scoring victory” said Somali football federation second vice president Salad Moalim Mohamed who led the delegation of Somali football.
“This time we made more preparations and we are hopeful”said Mr. Salad who talked to reporters before heading to airport, on Monday.
Also Somali football federation president Saeed Mahmoud Nur who addressed at the farewell ceremony encouraged the national footballers and pledged more money if Somali national Under 17 football team scores success during the upcoming competition of East-Central African Juniors.
“We are promising to give each footballer 500 US dollars, but that will be if you return home with success” said Somali football federation President Saeed Mahmoud Nur.
President Saeed praised Italian football federation President Giancarlo Abette and Somali expatriates in Europe whom he said had all pledged to invest develop Somali football activities in all over the country.
President Saeed has returned home on Sunday from Europe, where he held meetings with Italian football federation president in Rome and Somalis in Sweden and Finland .
“ Somalia ’s flag is still under and you are those who are wanted to take the flag from the dusty ground” said Somali football federation general Secretary Abdi Qani Saeed Arab.
This is the first time that Somali football team leaves for outside games since former president of Somali football was fired from work early this year.
By Shafici Mohyaddin Abokar.
First vice president and head of international relations of Somali sports press association.