MENU

Somalia win first ever football World Cup qualifier, beat Zimbabwe 1-0

SNS

Qatar WC to start a day earlier to give hosts opening game: Reports (Picture Credits - Twitter)


Somalia beat Zimbabwe 1-0 in a football World Cup qualifier played in Djibouti on Thursday to register the country’s first-ever win in the qualifier.

Somalia (currently the lowest-placed African team at the 202nd spot) pulled off a significant upset by clinching a last-gasp 1-0 success against Zimbabwe (112th), courtesy a goal by Anwar Sidali Shakunda. The result was the Ocean Stars’ first win in a World Cup qualifying campaign.

Unable to play at home because of the unstable security situation in the East African country, the Somalis moved the first round first leg to Djibouti. This is the sixth appearance of the Somalis in World Cup qualifier and they have been able to play at home only once, in a 1982 eliminator.

“Somalia makes history to win its first ever FIFA world Cup qualifier clash. Somalia beat Zimbabwe 1-0 in the first leg of the 2022 FIFA World Cup preliminary qualifier clash in Djibouti this evening, (sic)” Somali Football Federation said.

Meanwhile, Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed congratulated the team on the victory.

“Congratulations to our OceanStars. Your victory is remarkable. You have played purposely. We are eager to receive you back home as you prepare for the return leg, (sic)” Abdullahi tweeted.

Six African teams made their grand entrance in the first round of CAF qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 on Thursday.

Zimbabwe, who competed at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations three months ago, host the return match in Harare on Tuesday.

Also Read