Abdirahman Ali Abubakar, a 27-year-old Kenyan football coach, has been on an unveiling circuit since exporting his services to Somalia in May last year when he was appointed the new coach of military team Horseed FC.
The appointment came a month after Abubakar had obtained his CAF ‘A’ Coaching License. He had signed a three-month deal with the Mogadishu-based club and he led them to a third place finish with a record of six wins, one draw, and three losses. He’d taken over the club mid-season.
“It was a short contract,” Abubakar told Nation Sport of his stay with Horseed FC, who sacked him on July 31, last year after the team lost 4-1 to eventual champions Dekedaha.
Soon after, Abubakar signed a one-year contract with Elman Sports Club in September 2024. However, he terminated his contract in May over what he termed as “personal issues”.
Mogadishu City Club coach Abdirahman Ali Abubakar during the Caf Champions League match preliminary round second leg against Kenya Police FC at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on on September 28, 2025.
He left them fifth on the league standings with eight wins from 19 matches. The remaining 11 matches had produced seven losses and four draws. He also led them to the semi-final of the General Da’ud Cup, Somalia’s equivalent of the FKF Cup.
“Somali football is growing and stakeholders are slowly accepting football as a sport that can be practised professionally. They are slowly adapting to best practices but this is not without challenges. Some of those challenges are the reason I have changed clubs twice already. Changing clubs frequently is not my own making,” Abubakar, born and raised in Eastleigh’s Section Three, said.
Abubakar was recently appointed coach of reigning Somalia Premier League champions Mogadishu City Club on a yet another short-term contract whose length he did not disclose.
However, he expressed hope of his appointment translating into a long-term stay at the club nicknamed “Minishiibiyo”, meaning municipal officers.
“I only take over at a club that has ambitions and structures that align with my vision. Otherwise, it will be a recipe for trouble. My current engagement with Mogadishu City Club is brief but I hope it can turn to something long term,” he said.
Abubakar spoke on Sunday at Nyayo National Stadium after guiding his club to a 2-0 win over reigning FKF Premier League champions Kenya Police FC in the second leg of the 2025/26 CAF Champions League preliminary qualifying round match.
Kenya Police FC, however, progressed to the final qualifying round, on the away goals rule, after a 3-3 on aggregate. Kenya Police FC had defeated the 11-time Somali champions 3-1 in the first leg of the encounter which Mogadishu City Club hosted at Nyayo on September 20 because Somalia lacks a CAF-approved venue.
The result was a Somali club's first victory over a Kenyan club since Lavor Publici defeated Gor Mahia 1-0 during their 3-1 aggregate loss to K’Ogalo in the second leg of their 1981 African Cup Winners' Cup second round encounter.
Albert Otieno (left) of Kenya Police FC is tackled by Abdiwali Mohamed of Mogadishu City Club their Caf Champions League match preliminary round second leg against Kenya Police FC at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on on September 28, 2025.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
However, the result left Abubakar pained and he urged CAF to consider scrapping the away goals rule.
“UEFA did away with the rule and CAF should follow suit,” Abubakar said.
Oddly, another Somali club, Dekedaha, benefited from the away goals rules to overcome Sudan’s Al Zamala in their 2025/26 CAF Confederation League preliminary qualifying round. The match ended 2-2 on aggregate after Dekedaha won 1-0 at home and lost 2-1 away on Saturday.
Dekedaha are coached by Kenyan Abdirahman Hashi Hussein, who Abubakar described as a close friend.
“We talk regularly and we had a chat before our CAF assignments this weekend,” Abubakar said.
He described Hashi’s success as “monumental” for the growth of Somali football, a sport that is giving him and other young coaches such as Hashi opportunities to prove themselves.
“The growth of Somali football is opening doors for young coaches like me and Hashi to show what we can do. Working in Somalia has a lot of challenges but we are making an impact that speaks of our ability to transform if given a chance,” Abubakar said.
“We are gaining valuable experience coaching in Somalia and I urge top Kenyan clubs to give more opportunities to Kenyan coaches.”
During the pre-match press conference for Mogadishu City Club’s return match against Kenya Police, Abubakar said he is among four Kenyan coaches working in Somalia.
“There are also two European coaches,” he said.
