Cardiff Bay Warriors from Butetown win Somali Cup football tournament in Canada

  • Video report by Issa Farfour

Cardiff Bay Warriors are a small amateur football team in the Welsh capital made up of mostly Somali players.

But now the minnows have brought home a big prize after winning a competition for Somali communities worldwide in Canada.

Ali Abdi, chairman of Cardiff Bay Warriors FC, says the experience was "unbelievable".

He said: "We're still celebrating now. I don't think the feeling has sunk in properly.

"We've got few events with the community. We're invited by schools to bring in the trophy as well. It's a big trophy and it's exciting that the boys brought the trophy home."

The Welsh Somaliland team scored the wining goal in this international tournament in Canada.

For this team faith is as important as football, they are proud to be Muslim, Somali, but Welsh too, and wore welsh flags while celebrating

But it was in Cardiff where all the hard work and training took place.

The captain of the team Mohamed Abdullah said it was a tough competition, while the weather was hot and humid.

He added: "Last year we got knocked out in the group stage and it was a really emotional time for us. It is a very proud moment for Butetown and Cardiff. It is a very proud moment for all of us."

For this team, faith is as important as football. They didn't miss praying while training, and they are proud to be Muslim, Somali, and Welsh.

It was in Cardiff where all the hard work and training took place.

Head coach Ahmed Noor said: "Every single player of the team is born in Wales in the Heath Hospital.

"We are 100 percent Welshmen in the whole squad and they are proud. They had their Welsh flags while lifting the trophy.

"We are one of the biggest ethnic teams in the whole of Wales. Representing Wales in a country like Canada on a global scale is something to be really proud of."

It was a proud moment indeed and a victory showcasing some of the talent in the vibrant Somali community in Wales.

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