Hundreds of Somali spectators cheered as they watched two teams of young women play football in a Mogadishu stadium -- an unimaginable scene in the conservative, conflict-hit country just a few years ago.
Breakdown
- Women's football was previously banned by Al-Shabaab with severe sanctions. 10s
- The Women's Football Championship began in 2024 with 80 players. 1m 0s
- Participation grew to 600 players across 10 teams in two years. 1m 7s
- Public attitudes are changing, with more fans and less stigma for women players. 1m 12s
- Somalia's women's team played its first friendly in Djibouti but is not yet internationally listed. 1m 32s