Nairobi, Kenya – Mogadishu City Club may have lost 3-1 to Kenya Police FC in their CAF Champions League preliminary tie on Saturday, but they walked away with a significant financial boost, pocketing about US$27,000 (Ksh 3.6 million) in gate collections.
The Nyayo National Stadium was a sea of Somali flags and chants, with the Somali community in Kenya turning up in huge numbers after the club launched a vigorous marketing campaign to rally support. The atmosphere was electric, more akin to a home fixture in Mogadishu than in Nairobi.
On the pitch, however, it was Kenya Police who delivered the sharper performance. The law enforcers struck early to take control of the match, punishing defensive lapses from the Somali champions. Mogadishu City pulled one back to spark hopes of a comeback, but Police restored their cushion with a third goal that left the hosts with a steep climb ahead of the second leg.
The two sides will meet again on Sunday at the same venue, an unusual arrangement agreed upon by CAF due to logistical challenges faced by Mogadishu City. That return fixture will determine who progresses to the next stage of Africa’s most prestigious club competition.
While Mogadishu City faces an uphill battle on the field, the financial windfall and massive show of diaspora support underline the growing importance of Somali football across borders. The club now carries both pride and pressure as they attempt to overturn the deficit in less than 24 hours.