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.
Somali Football Federation Media department
Email:somalifootballmedia@gmail.com