Mogadishu, Somalia – Kenyan football tactician Ali Abubakar is making headlines far from home as he takes the helm at Mogadishu City Club with an ambitious mission: to turn the Somali outfit into a regional powerhouse. Born and raised in Nairobi’s Eastleigh neighbourhood, Abubakar says his journey to Somalia is more than a coaching job — it is a cultural homecoming and a professional challenge he intends to conquer with grit and flair.
Since assuming his role, he has set out to overhaul training systems, instil tactical discipline and introduce professional structures that rival East African giants. While acknowledging Somalia’s football sector still grapples with limited infrastructure and logistical hurdles, the Nairobi native insists that passion and raw talent in Mogadishu outweigh the obstacles. His goal is to build a competitive squad capable not only of dominating the domestic league but also of standing tall in continental competitions.
Abubakar, who proudly identifies as a “Somali Kenyan,” is determined to keep football separate from political narratives. His focus, he says, is on nurturing local players and proving that Somali football is ready to reclaim its place on the regional stage.
His appointment reflects a growing trend of Kenyan coaches exporting their expertise across borders, but Abubakar is quick to add that his story is more than a career milestone — it is a statement of possibility. If his vision takes root, Mogadishu City Club may soon be less of an underdog and more of a team to fear.