Somalia Bows Out of African Nations Championship Qualifiers Due to Financial Difficulties
In a surprising turn of events, Somalia’s football organization has decided to bow out of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2025 qualifiers, citing financial woes as the chief reason. Somalia Football Federation (SFF) General Secretary Yusuf Ahmed shared this development, highlighting the persistent obstacles facing Somali football. “Financial constraints led us to this decision,” Ahmed divulged to Cecafaonline.com, noting the inability of the federation to rally the necessary funds for a national squad ahead of the upcoming qualifiers.
Burundi, as a consequence of Somalia’s exit, benefits from a free pass to the next stage in the CECAFA zone qualifiers, setting up a face-off against Uganda. The CHAN 2025 games, anticipated in February and co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, serve as a significant stage for emerging local talent across Africa. Uniquely, the tournament limits participation to domestic league players, providing regional athletes a prestigious opportunity to shine on an international platform.
Somalia’s abrupt withdrawal underscores the challenging financial scenario within the SFF. Having operated since 1951 and counting as a FIFA affiliate from 1962, the SFF has consistently leaned on external financial support from FIFA and CAF, alongside the occasional local sponsorship. Yet, these funds barely stretch, only managing to cover essential costs, leaving scant room for athlete development or infrastructure bolstering. The Somali government’s prioritization of national security equally means sports development funding remains scant, with the local business arena offering little in terms of sponsorship backing.
Despite the FIFA Forward Program offering financial uplift for advancing youth football initiatives, in Somalia, these funds largely ensure basic functioning rather than promoting sustained growth. Over time, the SFF has also counted on informal financial gifts from the Somali diaspora, a somewhat inconsistent income stream underscoring the federation’s financial frailty.
Financial troubles are not the only setback. Financial mismanagement claims and corruption have dented the SFF’s reputation. Allegations have surfaced about funds designed for grassroots and infrastructure being rerouted to cover administrative expenses, stirring unrest among players and past officials. Critics have demanded transparency, pointing to long-standing issues such as unpaid wages, poor training conditions, and lacking medical care.
To combat these issues, the SFF has revealed plans for reforms aimed at introducing external audits and crafting formal partnerships with the global Somali community to secure financial footing. These steps could potentially address concerns and rebuild faith within the Somali football milieu.
Meanwhile, as Somalia steps aside, other CECAFA teams are readying to forge ahead. Sudan will welcome Tanzania in Nouakchott, Mauritania, on October 27, and South Sudan will face Kenya in Juba National Stadium. Given Djibouti’s absence of a CAF-approved arena, they will challenge Rwanda at Kigali’s Amahoro Stadium. Early November will see the return matches, with the second qualifying tier slated for December, paving the way for CECAFA to secure its quartet of slots in the deciding CHAN roster.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
