Mogadishu City, Horseed Reach Jaranaal Da’uud Final; Somali Football Federation Sets Extra-Time Rules

MOGADISHU — Mogadishu City Club and Horseed Sports Club will contest the Jaranaal Da’uud Tournament final on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, with the Somali Football Federation unveiling an updated format that guarantees a decisive result on the day — extra time and, if needed, penalties — as part of a broader bid to raise standards across the domestic game.

In a letter signed by SFF Chairman Ali Shiino and circulated Saturday, the federation confirmed both clubs’ participation in the final and detailed the match regulations designed to prevent a deadlock. The directive urges strict observance of kickoff times and adherence to the revised rules, which the SFF framed as essential to competitiveness and fair play.

The federation’s stipulations for the Jaranaal Da’uud title match are clear:

• Regulation time: 90 minutes
• If tied: 30 minutes of extra time, played as two 15-minute halves
• If still level: penalty shootout to decide the champion
• Clubs must strictly follow kickoff times and competition protocols

Alongside the procedural update, the SFF cast the changes as part of ongoing efforts to professionalize Somali football, improve matchday discipline, and deliver a better spectacle for fans. The federation also thanked clubs nationwide for their commitment in recent competitions, crediting their work with developing players and strengthening the domestic structure.

For Mogadishu City Club and Horseed, the clarified pathway to a champion shapes how the final may be managed from the opening whistle. With extra time on the table, coaches must balance intensity with endurance, consider substitutions with an eye on a potential 120-minute outing, and prepare their specialists for the pressure of a penalty shootout. Goalkeepers’ shot-stopping and the nerve of designated takers could prove decisive if the rivals cannot be separated in open play.

The SFF’s emphasis on punctuality and discipline underscores the federation’s push for consistency across competitions. The governing body views uniform rules and crisp execution as foundational to lifting the quality of football in Somalia — from player development and coaching standards to the rhythm and reliability of domestic tournaments. Monday’s showpiece, the federation indicated, is meant to reflect that direction of travel.

The final doubles as a showcase for two of Mogadishu’s best-known clubs and a rallying point for supporters. In calling on fans to attend, the SFF described the match as one of the year’s most significant sporting events on Somalia’s calendar — a statement of ambition as the capital prepares to host a meeting that promises stakes, spectacle, and, by design, a clear winner.

Beyond the trophy, the federation’s update signals a template for decisive endings that reduce ambiguity and enhance the competitive arc of major fixtures. For players and coaches, it raises the tactical bar; for supporters, it offers a sharper, more dramatic finish. The SFF’s message is that as the game evolves at home, the structures around it must keep pace — starting with the final whistle on Monday.

With the stage set in Mogadishu, all attention turns to the details that define big matches: control in midfield, set-piece execution, and the ability to manage transitions under pressure. If extra time calls, legs and focus will be tested. If penalties come, composure under the lights will matter most. Either way, the Jaranaal Da’uud Tournament will crown a champion by night’s end — the exact outcome the federation’s new regulations are designed to ensure.

By Ali Musa

Axadle Times international–Monitoring.