Saadiq Abdikadir Mohamed

Last updated
Saadiq Abdikadir Mohamed
Personal information
Date of birth (1996-01-15) January 15, 1996 (age 28)
Place of birth Nakuru, Kenya
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Position(s) Midfielder / Forward
Youth career
2015 Dallas
College career
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2016–2017 Saint Louis Billikens 22 (5)
2018–2020 Bradley Braves 15 (0)
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2012 Banadir
2013–2014 Leopards
International career
Kenya U17
2012 Somalia U17
2012–2013 Somalia 5 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 12:57, 18 March 2021 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 12:57, 15 January 2019 (UTC)

Saadiq Abdikadir Mohamed (born January 15, 1996) is a Somali footballer. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]

Contents

Early life

Mohamed was born in Nakuru, Kenya, in 1996 to a Somali mother. [10] His father died when he was young, and he spent time in both Kenya and Somalia during his childhood. He played football in both countries, for Banadir in Somalia, and for A.F.C. Leopards in Kenya.

Club career

During his time in Somalia, he was targeted along with many others, by terrorist group Al-Shabaab, simply for playing football. [10] After a surprise African youth championship qualification victory over Sudan, Mohamed gave a post-match interview in which he appeared to question Al-Shabaab, and asked for more peace in Somalia - to which he received numerous death threats. [10] Two months before this game, a teammate of his had been killed, having been attacked after staying behind after training for extra practice with Mohamed.

After his interview, Mohamed moved back to Kenya, and signed with Kenyan Premier League side A.F.C. Leopards. While in Kenya, he was arrested several times - all without the police filing charges, to try and elicit bribe money from family members. Because of this, his contract with the Leopards was terminated. [10]

Move to America

Having no club to play for, and no place to safely live without persecution, Mohamed travelled to the United States, where a friend had been granted asylum. His friend helped him compile a highlight reel for potential new clubs, and he jumped around the country trialling with various university sides. While staying in Texas, FC Dallas gave him a chance and he spent some time with their academy. Eventually the Saint Louis University offered him a place on their roster. During his time in America, he stayed with the sister of journalist J.R. Biersmith, who had been documenting Mohamed's struggle as a footballer under the Al-Shabaab regime. [10]

University career

Mohamed had a very successful first year with the Saint Louis Billikens, earning an A-10 All-Rookie team selection, as well as twice earning A-10 Rookie of the Week honours. In his two years at Saint Louis University, Mohamed totalled twenty-two appearances and five goals. [1]

During this time, J.R. Biersmith finished his documentary on Mohamed, titled Men in the Arena, and it was released in 2017.[ citation needed ] The documentary focused on Mohamed and fellow Somali footballer Sa'ad Hussein, and their struggles with playing football in a country ravaged by civil war.

In February 2018, the Saint Louis University reneged on their promise of a full scholarship for Mohamed, and so he decided to transfer to the Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois. He racked up twelve appearances in 2018 for the Braves, but was redshirted during the 2019 season, and only managed to feature in three games in his last season. [2]

He graduated with honours in 2020, having been approved for asylum in the United States the previous year. [2] [10]

Career statistics

International

As of matches played 15 January 2019. [11]
National teamYearAppsGoals
Somalia 201220
201330
Total50

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fazul Abdullah Mohammed</span> Comorian-Kenyan member of al-Qaeda

Fazul Abdullah Mohammed was a Comorian-Kenyan member of al-Qaeda, and the leader of its presence in East Africa. Mohammed was born in Moroni, Comoros Islands and had Kenyan as well as Comorian citizenship. He spoke French, Swahili, Arabic, English, and Comorian.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fuad Qalaf</span> Somali-Swedish militant (born 1965)

Fuad Mohamed Qalaf, also known as Fuad Shangole, is a Somali-Swedish militant Islamist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Al-Shabaab (militant group)</span> Somalia-based Islamist movement affiliated with al-Qaeda

Harakat al-Shabaab al-Mujahideen, commonly known as al-Shabaab, is a transnational Salafi Jihadist military and political organization based in Somalia and active elsewhere in East Africa. It is actively involved in the ongoing Somali Civil War and incorporates elements of Somali nationalism into its Islamist cause. Allegiant to the militant pan-Islamist organization al-Qaeda since 2012, it has also forged ties with al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, and al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hizbul Islam</span> 2009–2010 and 2012–2014 Somali Islamist insurgent group

Hizbul Islam, also known as Hizbul Islaami, Hisbi Islam, or Hezb-ul Islam, was a Somali Islamist group formed after four Islamist groups merged to oppose the new Somali government of President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed. The four groups were: Hassan Aweys' the ARS-A, Jabhatul Islamiya, Hassan Abdullah Hersi al-Turki's the Mu'askar Ras Kamboni and Muaskar Anole, the Marehan clan's Militia and Harti clan's militia. These groups previously took part in the fighting against the Ethiopian occupation of Somalia.

The Muna Hotel in the Somali capital of Mogadishu was attacked by al-Shabaab fighters on 24 August 2010. The hotel was known to host government officials and other politicians. More fighting in the city began on 23 August.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed</span> Former President of Somalia (2017–2022)

Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, also known as Farmaajo, is a Somali politician who served as president of Somalia from 2017 to 2022. He was prime minister of Somalia for six months, from November 2010 to June 2011. Mohamed is the founder and leader of the Tayo Party since 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Operation Linda Nchi</span> Kenyan military operation (2011–2012)

Operation Linda Nchi was the Kenya Defence Forces' invasion of southern Somalia beginning in 2011. The Kenyan government declared the operation completed in March 2012, but its forces then joined AMISOM in Somalia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Westgate shopping mall attack</span> 2013 terrorist attack in Nairobi, Kenya, by al-Shabaab

On 21 September 2013, four masked gunmen attacked the Westgate shopping mall, an upmarket mall in Nairobi, Kenya. There are conflicting reports about the number killed in the attack, since part of the mall collapsed due to a fire that started during the siege. The attack resulted in 71 total deaths, including 62 civilians, five Kenyan soldiers, and all four gunmen. Approximately 200 people were wounded in the massacre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 timeline of the Somali Civil War</span>

This is a 2014 timeline of events in the Somali Civil War (2009–present).

Hendrik Pieter de Jongh is a Dutch football manager who has coached several professional football clubs around the world including Budapest Honvéd, Kenyan Premier League side A.F.C. Leopards and F.C. Cape Town. De Jongh was most recently manager of Somalia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Operation Indian Ocean</span> 2014–2015 Somali–AMISOM–US mission against al-Shabaab

Operation Indian Ocean was a joint military operation between the Somali military, AMISOM and the United States military against the Al-Shabaab militant group aimed at eliminating the remaining insurgent-held areas in southern Somalia. It officially began in August 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2015 timeline of the Somali Civil War</span>

This is a 2015 timeline of events in the Somali Civil War (2009–present).

On 2 April 2015, gunmen stormed the Garissa University College in Garissa, Kenya, killing 148 people, and injuring at least 79. The militant groups Al-Qaeda and Al-Shabaab, which the gunmen claimed to belong to, took responsibility for the attack. The gunmen took over 700 students hostage, freeing Muslims and killing those who identified as Christians. The siege ended the same day, when all four of the attackers were killed. Five men were later arrested in connection with the attack, and a bounty was placed for the arrest of a suspected organizer.

This article contains a timeline of events for the Somalimilitant group al-Shabaab.

Bilal al-Berjawi al-Lubnani also known as Abu Hafsa al-Britani was a British-Lebanese who was a member in the Somali Islamist militant group al-Shabaab and was killed by a U.S. drone strike.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abdukadir Mohamed Abdukadir</span> Somali terrorist

Abdikadir Mohamed Abdikadir, better known as Ikrima, is a terrorist described as one of the most dangerous commanders of the Somali terror organisation Al-Shabaab. He has reportedly been central in the planning of several terror attacks, and responsible for forging links between Al-Shabaab and Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). He is of Somali ethnicity.

Mohamed Ali Nur, popularly known as "Ambassador Americo", was the Somali Ambassador to Kenya from October 2007 to April 2015. He was also a candidate in the 2017 Somali presidential election.

Events in the year 2020 in Somalia.

Events in the year 2021 in Somalia.

References

  1. 1 2 "Profile". Saint Louis University. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  2. 1 2 3 "Profile". Bradley University. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  3. "Saadiq Mohamed - Sports Illustrated article".
  4. "Saadiq Mohamed - Atlanta Journal-Constitution article".
  5. "Saadqiq Mohamed - Journal Star article".
  6. "Saadiq Mohamed - St Louis Dispatch article".
  7. "Saadiq Mohamed - STLPR article".
  8. "Saadiq Mohammed's Inspiring Story". fox2now.com.
  9. "After A Lifetime As An Outsider, Saadiq Mohammed Found Belonging In Soccer". hayatlife.com.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Grossman, Hallie (25 June 2019). "From fear to freedom: The soccer journey of Saadiq Mohammed". espn.com. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  11. Saadiq Abdikadir Mohamed at National-Football-Teams.com