Veteran referee, Osman Jama Dirah shot dead on his way home from the mosque

Popular Somali football referee who oversaw regional and international games has been shot dead near his home in the capital, Mogadishu.

According to reports, Osman Jama Dirah 'was killed leaving the mosque on the way to his residence in Wardhigley district. Two men armed with pistols shot him several times'.

Somali security forces arrived the scene of the murder but were unable to find the culprits. A spokesperson says 'Dirah contributed to Somali soccer for more than 25 years making his murder very strange and so far no-one has claimed responsibility'.