Dekedda break 36-year Somalia drought to advance in ...

Published: Saturday, 24 August 2024

Dekedda Sports Club has secured a place in the second preliminary round of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League, marking the first time in nearly four decades that a Somali club has reached this stage of Africa's premier club competition.

The historic achievement came on Friday at the Azam Sports Complex in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, where Dekedda SC overcame Djibouti's Arta Solar7 with a thrilling 5-4 aggregate victory.

This result has not only electrified football fans across Somalia but has also signaled a potential renaissance for the country's football on the continental stage.

Dekedda SC's triumph ends a 36-year drought for Somali clubs in the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League. 

The last time a Somali team progressed this far was in 1988 when Wagad FC reached the second preliminary round after a memorable victory over Rwanda's Panthere Noires.

The achievement has drawn praise from the highest echelons of Somali football.

Ali Abdi Mohamed, President of the Somali Football Federation, expressed his delight in a phone call to the team delegation: "I am very delighted to hear of the good news that you progressed to the second preliminary round. Congratulations to Dekedda SC administration, players, technical staff and fans."

The Somalia FA boss emphasized its broader implications for Somali football: "This triumph sends a clear message that Somali football is growing. We will continue to do our best to take Somali football to a greater position."

Looking ahead, Dekedda SC faces a formidable challenge in the next round as they prepare to take on Tunisian giants Esperance in September.

This matchup will pit the Somali champions against one of Africa's most decorated clubs, providing an opportunity to gauge the progress of Somali football on the continental stage.

Dekedda SC's success story is particularly poignant when contrasted with the last Somali club to reach this stage.

In 1988, Wagad FC's journey was cut short in the second preliminary round by Sudan's Al Hilal, with a 7-1 aggregate loss. 

Now, nearly 40 years later, Dekedda SC has the opportunity to go one step further and potentially reach the group stages of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League.