Somalia shocked by the sudden death of football legend Abdi Ali Sheik

Somalia is in a deep grief after the country lost one of its greatest football legends of all times, Abdi Ali Sheik Ahmed, who suddenly died at his home in Mogadishu at 8am on Friday morning, Somali Football Federation announced.

The late legend had long suffered from chronic diabetes, but was still very active in the sport and served as the deputy chairman of the Somali police-owned club [Heegan].

“I last spoke to him on Thursday evening and he was alright. He felt some pain before dawn on Friday morning and died at 8am. It is really with sadness to learn about his death” Somali FA senior vice president Ali Abdi
Mohamed said.

Abdi Ali Sheik Ahmed had lent a forceful commitment to the development of Somali football since 1960. He was one of Ocean stars top players in 1960s and 1970s.

“I had known him for more than 50 years; we played together in the National team” said Ocean stars playmaker in 1960s and 1970s Haji Mohamed Ahmed Olow.

Somali Football Federation president, Abdiqani Said Arab, announced three days of national mourning and the book of condolence was opened at Somali Football Federation headquarters, where hundreds of people have signed so far.

“We are in a deep shock. We lost one of our greatest legends of all times.
We missed a great man, but his legacy will always be with us” Somali FA president, Abdiqani Said Arab, said adding that the late legend had helped the revival of Somali football after the country felt into anarchy in
1991.

“With sadness, I am first sending condolence to myself, to his family and friends and to the people of Somalia in general” SFF president said. On his side, the chief of Somali police, General Mohamed Sheik Hassan
Hamud, said that the death of legend Abdi Ali Sheik Ahmed, is the most painful loss in recent years.

“I share the sadness with Somali Football Federation, his family and with the rest of Somali people” said General Hamud, the financer of the Heegan Sports Club, the defending champions of Somali National Football league.