Somali Football Federation has lauded for the release of the Ocean stars U-20 squad member Sadiq…
Somali Football Federation has lauded for the release of the Ocean stars U-20 squad member Sadiq Abdulqader Mahmoud who was freed over night on Friday after spending two nights in Kenyan detention.
The unconditional release of the U-20 International comes after marathon efforts to ensure his freedom back since Thursday morning.
The Ocean stars striker, Sadiq Abdulqader Mahmoud who also plays for Kenyan club AFC Leopards was arrested by Kenyan forces on Wednesday night as he left his apartment to watch the Champions league Atletico Madrid–Barcelona clash but he was intercepted and jailed by security forces.
“We expect from Kenyan authorities to respect international footballers in their country and in particularly those from Somalia whose responsibility is on us” Somali Football Federation Secretary General Abdi Qani Said Arab said in a press statement to welcome the player’s release.
He thanked Kenyan security forces for dealing with the Ocean stars member in a very professional way during his captivity.
Earlier on Friday, the Somali Football Federation said in an statement that the SFF would not tolerate if the player spends another night in custody and sent the statement to FIFA,CAF and CECAFA for more pressure.
Meanwhile, Sadiq Abdulqader Mahmoud who was reached for comment spoke about his experience while in detention saying that he received a high profile treatment and much respect from security forces since after he told them he was an international Somali footballer.
“Rather than being held in detention, I can really tell you that security forces dealt with me well and they finally took me on a special car until they brought me back to my home here in Nairobi—I am safe and sound and I am feeling well” the Ocean stars member said a little while after he arrived his home back last night.
By Shafi’i Mohyaddin Abokar
HorseedNet Media
