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    Abandoned stadium once dubbed ‘Jewel of Africa’ & used as crumbling army camp in civil war has incredible transformation

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    AN abandoned football stadium which served as an army camp in civil war is hosting matches again after an incredible makeover.Once dubbed the “Jewel of Africa”, Somalia’s national stadium in Mogadishu – the country’s violence-prone capital – had been left to rot for years.
    Mogadishu Stadium was immediately occupied by militia when the civil war began in 1991 and has been a base for various armed groups over the yearsCredit: Somali football federation
    The once beautiful sports venue was left to rot for years after not being looked afterCredit: Somali football
    The stadium was once dubbed the ‘jewel of Africa’ before it was left abandoned
    Stadium Mogadishu, Somalia’s largest football venue, was built in 1978 and was once among the largest and most beautiful stadiums in Africa and the Arab world, the Somali Football Federation reports.
    However, the various conditions and sufferings it has seen since 1991 have given it a jungle-like aspect.
    It was abandoned for so long that looked like a contained forest due to all the trees grown in the pitch.
    Its crumbling stands also add to the haunting look and feel.
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    The Chinese government built Stadium Mogadishu in 1978, and it has held numerous international events, including the 8th Arab Student Competition, the East-Central African Nations Cup and the East-Central African Teams Championship.
    The building sustained extensive damage in the early 1990s when US and Pakistani peacekeepers used it as a military base from 1993 to 1995 during the unsuccessful UN peacekeeping campaign in Somalia.
    Foreign military powers did significant damage to the stadium at the time, but when they left, the Somali National Football Federation was able to rebuild it and play games there.
    Unfortunately, Stadium Mogadishu was once again converted into a military facility in February 2007 until 2009, when Ethiopian troops supporting the Somali transitional federal government took possession.
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    It was then occupied by al-Shabab militants from 2009 to 2011.
    And most recently, between 2012 and 2018, the stadium was a base for African Union peacekeepers.
    But the once rundown stadium, marked by a violent past, is now back hosting its first football tournament in three decades.
    The Mogadishu stadium has now been restored to its former glory
    Fans watch the football league match between Hirshabele and Jubaland at the renovated stadiumCredit: AP
    Some fans described the transformation feeling like an emancipationCredit: AP
    The Somali Football Federation asked African Union troops to vacate the national stadium so it can be used again for sports events.
    Authorities then spent years working to restore the venue and on December 29 Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre inaugurated the national football tournament.
    The competition is a milestone in efforts to revive public life even as al-Qaida’s East Africa affiliate, based in Somalia, remains a threat.
    The fragile central government is still struggling to assert itself after the nationwide chaos that began with the fall of dictator Siad Barre in 1991, when public facilities fell into neglect or were destroyed.
    Now, the air crackles with anticipation as thousands pour into the stadium each afternoon, with crowds roaring with the thrill of competition.
    The Islamist extremist group al-Shabab, which has ties with al-Qaida, still launches attacks on hotels, government offices and other public places in the capital, including a devastating car bombing in October 2022 that killed at least 120.
    But many Somalis are willing to brave the stadium, which has a heavy security presence.
    “My praise be to God,” said Jubbaland player Mohamud Abdirahim, whose team beat Hirshabelle in a tense encounter on Tuesday that went to a penalty shootout.
    “This tournament, in which all of Somalia’s regions participate, is exceptionally special. It will become a part of our history.”
    Hirshabelle fan Khadro Ali said she “felt as though we were emancipated.”
    Ali Abdi Mohamed, president of the Somali Football Federation, added: “When this stadium was used as a military camp, it was a source of agony and pain.
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    “However, you can now see how it has transformed and is destined to serve its original purpose, which is to play football.”
    His sentiments were echoed by the Somali sports minister, Mohamed Barre, who said the stadium “has transformed into a place where people of similar interests can come together … and we want the world to see this.”
    The stadium was falling apart and broken after years of neglectCredit: Somali football
    Footballers warm up at the brand new national stadiumCredit: AP
    The ground was marked by a violent pastCredit: Somali football More

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      Mikel Arteta warns Gabriel Jesus and Portuguese-speaking pals to stick to English as Arsenal boss clamps down on cliques

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      MIKEL ARTETA wants to create his own United Nations at Arsenal after vowing to crack down on any dressing-room cliques.The signing of £45million Gabriel Jesus means that Arsenal now have seven Portuguese speakers in their squad.
      Jesus has joined Martinelli, Gabriel, Marquinhos and the rest of the Arsenal squad at training this weekCredit: Getty
      But Arteta warns against break-off groups in an attempt to unite the entire squadCredit: Getty
      But Arteta has made it clear that he expects all of his players to communicate in English — after having to deal with German and French-speaking factions.
      Arteta declared: “I don’t want any Brazilian group and I don’t want a Portuguese group.
      “The important thing for me is that they unite with the entire squad. I want a team that is fully integrated so they can build a strong and trusting relationship between each other.
      “Obviously you will have more chemistry between some players than between others and it’s important for new players to have somebody they have already spent time with who understands your culture.
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      “But for sure we will promote that integration between all of them.”
      Not that Arteta has any concerns about Jesus, who already speaks fluent English after his six years at Manchester City.
      He says: “Gabby’s first quality is his character, the person, the smile and what he represents as a human being.
      “He’s an incredible professional with his work ethic, enthusiasm and the atmosphere he is going to create on the training pitch.
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      “I think he will set different standards at the club because he is only used to winning.
      “He is only 25-years-old, which is still very early for a striker, but he’s had so many experiences over the last six years which have made him the player he is today.
      “He’s gone through difficult patches where he wasn’t playing a lot of football but he has always shown passion, hunger and desire. And that’s what makes him so special.
      “He’s played as a left wing, a right wing, a number nine and a false nine.
      That versatility is one of the qualities we want in our front players.
      “We have a very dynamic team up front. We have three or four players who can play in various positions and different formations.
      “We want to be unpredictable but at the time be specific to achieve certain qualities that we didn’t have in the squad. And with Gabby we are doing both at the same time.”
      Arteta is equally confident that rookie playmaker Vieira can also have a significant impact despite completing only one full season at Porto before his recent £30million move.
      He says: “When I started to look at Fabio I said this is a player that represents the way I want to play.
      “It’s not so long ago that he made his debut with Porto but we were really impressed with his maturity and he fits in with our model so I am really excited to have him.” More