The Somali National League (Somali: Heerka Koowaad ee Soomaali), formerly the Somali Premier League, is the Somali professional league for men's association football. It has been active for over 50 years, having been established in 1967. Somalia has 12 professional clubs playing for the Somali First Division. Football is the most popular sport in Somalia. In the 1930s, Italian Colonial Authorities established some of the first teams in Somalia. In the 2021–22 season, Gaadiidka won the Somali First Division.
| Founded | 1967 |
|---|---|
| Country |  Somalia |
| Confederation | CAF |
| Number of clubs | 12 |
| Level on pyramid | 1 |
| Relegation to | Somali Second Division |
| Domestic cup | Somalia Cup |
| Current champions | Mogadishu City Club (2024–2025) |
| Top scorer | Ciise Aden Abshir (103 goals) |
| Broadcaster(s) | Astaan TV Asal TV Bile TV |
| Current: 2025–26 Somali First Division | |
Foreign players
editEach team competing in the league is only allowed to register four foreign players at a time.[1]
Clubs
editAs of the 2024-2025 season:
Previous winners
editPrevious winners were:[2]
| Year | Champion |
|---|---|
| 1967 | Somali Police (1) |
| 1968 | Hoga (1) |
| 1969 | Lavori Pubblici (1) |
| 1970 | Lavori Pubblici (2) |
| 1971 | Lavori Pubblici (3) |
| 1971–72 | Horseed (1) |
| 1972–73 | Horseed (2) |
| 1973–74 | Horseed (3) |
| 1975 | Mogadiscio Municipality (1) |
| 1976–77 | Horseed (4) |
| 1977–78 | Horseed (5) |
| 1978–79 | Horseed (6) |
| 1979–80 | Horseed (7) |
| 1980–81 | Lavori Pubblici (4) |
| 1982 | Wagad (1) |
| 1983 | National Printing Agency (1) |
| 1984 | Marine Club (1) |
| 1985 | Wagad (2) |
| 1986 | Mogadiscio Municipality (2) |
| 1987 | Wagad (3) |
| 1988 | Wagad (4) |
| 1989 | Mogadiscio Municipality (3) |
| 1990 | Gaadiidka (1) |
| Not held between 1991 and 1993 | |
| 1994 | Morris Supplies (1) |
| 1995 | Alba (1) |
| Not held in 1996 and 1997 | |
| 1998 | Dekedaha (1) |
| 1999 | Banaadir (1) |
| 2000 | Elman (1) |
| 2001 | Elman (2) |
| 2002 | Elman (3) |
| 2003 | Elman (4) |
| 2004–06 | Banaadir (2) |
| 2007 | Dekedaha (2) |
| 2008 | Not held |
| 2008–09 | Banaadir (3) |
| 2009–10 | Banaadir (4) |
| 2011 | Elman (5) |
| 2012 | Elman (6) |
| 2013–14 | Banaadir (5) |
| 2014–15 | Heegan |
| 2015–16 | Banaadir (6) |
| 2016–17 | Dekedaha (3) |
| 2018 | Dekedaha (4) |
| 2019 | Dekedaha (5) |
| 2019–20 | Mogadishu City (1) |
| 2021 | Horseed (8) |
| 2022 | Gaadiikdka (2) |
| 2023–24 | Dekedaha (6) |
| 2024–25 | Mogadishu City (2) |
2021 Somali First Division table
editThe final standings:[3]
| Pos. | Football Club | Average attendance | W | D | L | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Horseed SC | 7,533 | 11 | 5 | 2 | 38 |
| 2 | Mogadishu City Club | 2,512 | 11 | 5 | 2 | 38 |
| 3 | Heegan FC | 2,032 | 9 | 6 | 3 | 33 |
| 4 | Raadsan SC | 917 | 9 | 6 | 3 | 33 |
| 5 | Dekedaha FC | 907 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 23 |
| 6 | Midnimo FC | 654 | 7 | 1 | 10 | 22 |
| 7 | Gaadiidka FC | 698 | 6 | 3 | 9 | 21 |
| 8 | Jeenyo United FC | 567 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 20 |
| 9 | Elman SC | 520 | 5 | 2 | 11 | 17 |
| 10 | Geeska Afrika FC | 321 | 1 | 2 | 15 | 5 |
Highest attendance: 65,000 at Horseed SC vs Mogadishu City Club.[4]
Performance by club
edit| Club | Titles | Last title |
|---|---|---|
| Mogadishu City Club (includes Mogadishu Municipality, Banaadir) | 11 | 2024–25 |
| Horseed FC | 8 | 2020–21 |
| Elman FC | 6 | 2012–13 |
| Dekedda (includes Ports Authority) | 6 | 2023–24 |
| Wagad | 4 | 1988 |
| Jeenyo United (includes Lavori Pubblici) | 4 | 1980–81 |
| Gaadiidka | 2 | 2022 |
| Heegan (includes Somali Police) | 2 | 2014–15 |
| Deledda FC | 1 | 1998 |
| Alba | 1 | 1995 |
| Merca New Supplies | 1 | 1994 |
| Marine Club | 1 | 1984 |
| Printing Agency | 1 | 1983 |
| Hoga | 1 | 1968 |
Top goalscorers
edit| Season | Player | Team | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 |  Adepoju Oluwaseun | Gaadiidka | 22 |
| 2024-25 | Abdulqadir Eenow | MCC | 23 |
See also
editReferences
edit- ↑ Mohamed, Hamza. "Somalia's football revival lures foreign players". Al Jazeera.
- ↑ "Somalia Champions". RSSSF. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
- ↑ "Somalia 2021". www.rsssf.org. Retrieved 2025-08-22.
- ↑ https://wardheernews.com/tanks-gone-somalis-fill-mogadishu-stadium-with-65000-fans-for-first-time-since-2004/[permanent dead link]
External links
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