Kigali, Rwanda – Mogadishu City Club, the reigning champions of the Somalia Premier League, secured their first point in the 2025 CECAFA Kagame Cup after battling to a 1–1 draw with Sudanese giants Al Hilal Omdurman on Friday. The tightly contested encounter, staged in Kigali, Rwanda, offered a glimpse of the Somali side’s growing maturity on the regional stage.
The Ocean Stars’ domestic representatives made an electric start, breaking the deadlock in the 11th minute through Khadohi Marka Kawasira. The forward latched onto a well-weighted through ball before calmly slotting past the Hilal goalkeeper, sparking celebrations among Somali supporters.
However, the lead was short-lived. Just five minutes later, Al Hilal struck back with a swift counter-attack that sliced through the Mogadishu backline, restoring parity and dampening the Somalis’ early momentum.
The remainder of the match turned into a tactical duel. Mogadishu City Club worked hard to close down spaces and frustrate their more experienced opponents, while Al Hilal enjoyed greater possession but failed to convert their chances into a decisive lead. Both sides squandered opportunities late in the second half, with the Somali side showing resilience in defense and composure under pressure.
Head coach Mohamed Abdulle praised his players for their discipline and fighting spirit, stressing that the draw was a crucial confidence boost after a slow start to the tournament.
“We showed character against one of the toughest clubs in the region. This point gives us belief and something to build on for the coming fixtures,” Abdulle told reporters after the game.
For Mogadishu City Club, the draw marks progress in their bid to advance from the group stage, while for Al Hilal, it was a reminder that emerging teams in the region can no longer be underestimated.
The Somali champions will now turn their attention to their next group match, where a win could place them firmly in contention for a quarterfinal spot.