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The Somalia teen sensation has reportedly decided to retire from football following a request from his fiancé who demanded that he quits the sport before she marries him.
Somalia’s teen sensation Abdihafid Mohamed Abdi has shocked football fans in the country after announcing his decision to retire from football so that he can get married.
Abdi announced on Friday that he plans to hang his boots at the end of the season to settle down with the love of his life, leaving fans surprised given he is still just 17 and is the country’s most talented youngster.
Speaking to a local sports television, Abdi asked fans to respect his controversial decision with the surprise retirement announcement coming after months of speculation linking him to a female social media influencer who currently lives in Kenya.
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11:26 - 17.01.2024
FOOTBALL Somalia's own Omar Abdulkadir Artan makes history at the Africa Cup of Nations
Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan makes history as the first from his country to officiate in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Abdi, who plays for Somalia Premier League side Elman, said the lady advised him to quit football before she can marry him, hence his decision to quit.
The hugely talented player was on the bench as his team took on Dekehada in the league on Saturday but rose to prominence during the 2022 CECAFA U17 which Somalia won while he was named the tournament’s best player.
This is the second controversial incident involving Abdi in the last one year, having been barred from the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Algeria after failing an age test.
Abdi did not pass a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) test conducted on the Somalia players by CAF as results showed he was not of the right age to feature in the tournament although the Somalia Football Federation refuted the outcome.
The player ultimately missed the tournament but stayed positive nonetheless.
“All praise is due to Allah. I believe in the destiny of Allah. I will always love my nation, and I will love it forever. This year I will not be part of the Afcon U 17 since I failed the exam scan MRI. Allah, I believe in your destiny,” he wrote after the failed test.
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06:04 - 12.10.2023
FOOTBALL Kenyan-born talent to make debut in historic Somalia friendlies against Niger, Sierra Leone
Somalia has lined up international friendlies, featuring Kenyan-born defender, ahead of their significant 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.
Following his latest announcement, media reports in Somalia claimed on Saturday that the lady in question ended the relationship following the widespread reports, leaving him at crossroads.
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