Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Twenty-year-old international striker Abdisalan Mohamed Ali, who played for the Mogadishu-based Dekedaha sports club was killed instantly and two of his colleagues injured after they were caught up in the bomb explosion which left ten people dead.
The players were returning home from their training session at the police station, near where the attack occurred.
The team regularly hold their training at the police station, which has been considered a safe location for training in the bullet-scarred capital.
"We are extremely saddened by the death of the striker who wore number 8 for the team and the two of our players who are now recovering from their injuries," said Abdulahi Bashir Nur, secretary general of the Dekedaha team.
"The three players formed an integral part of the team, but we will still go ahead to play in the league and stay strong amid the tragedy," he added.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter commiserated with the Somali Football Federation (SFF) on Tuesday saying the international football community stood by them following the tragedy.
"On behalf of FIFA, I wish to extend our condolences to you, the Somalian football community and, most importantly, all family, friends and loved ones of the victims," Blatter said in a statement.
Source: AFP