Na big news for Somalia today as dem celebrate one of their own wey don make history for football world. President Hassan Mohamud himself don send congratulatory message to referee Omar Artan, wey just become di first Somalian referee wey FIFA select to officiate for World Cup finals.
Omar Artan, wey be 34 years old, don join di list of 52 referees wey FIFA announce go handle matches for di 2026 World Cup wey go hold for Canada, Mexico and United States. Dis na big achievement for one country wey never qualify for any international football tournament before.
President Mohamud yarn say Artan don raise Somalia reputation for international stage. “I commend di effort, professionalism, and integrity wey referee Omar show, as he don become symbol of inspiration for new generation of Somalis,” di president talk.
Dis no be di first time Artan dey break record for him country. Since he become FIFA referee for 2018, he don dey officiate for Somali national football league championships. He don show say he sabi him work well well.
For January 2025, Artan become di first Somalia-born referee to officiate for African Football Confederation Champions League match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Pyramids FC for Cairo. Dat one show say di man get quality.
He don officiate for 2023 African Cup of Nations finals for Algeria, and for 2025, CAF name am as di best men referee of di year. But for dis year AFCON finals for Morocco, even though dem pick am as tournament referee, he no officiate any match.
Meanwhile, Somalia football fans still dey dream say dem fit reach 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. Dem beat Mauritius 4-2 on penalties for March to qualify for group stage for di first time. Di 2027 AFCON go co-host by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
As for Omar Artan, all eyes go dey on am come June-July when World Cup kick off. Him selection no just about one referee career, but na hope for whole nation wey dey look for positive representation for world stage.
Do you have a news tip for NNN? Please email us at editor @ nnn.ng
