Nairobi, Kenya – Somalia’s Dekedda Sports Club sealed a hard-fought 1-0 win over Sudan’s Zamala Ruwaba in the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round on Sunday at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.
With Somalia still lacking an approved international venue, Dekedda have adopted Nyayo as their home ground. The packed terraces reflected the Somali diaspora’s passionate support, transforming the Kenyan capital into a “mini Mogadishu” for the day.
The decisive moment came in the 75th minute, when striker Abdullahi Ahmed latched onto a clever through ball and slotted past Zamala’s goalkeeper with composure. The goal sparked wild celebrations among Dekedda fans, who roared their side on to hold the lead until the final whistle.
Zamala Ruwaba pressed hard in the dying minutes, pushing men forward in search of an equalizer, but Dekedda’s backline stood firm, anchored by captain Mohamed Ali who marshaled his defenders with authority.
The narrow victory gives Dekedda a crucial first-leg advantage heading into the return match in Sudan. Club officials praised the resilience of their players, noting that the win marked another important step in Somalia’s return to continental football after years of setbacks caused by security and infrastructure challenges.
For the Somali champions, Sunday’s triumph was more than just a scoreline — it was a statement of intent that, even in exile, they can compete and win on Africa’s biggest stages.