# Saadiq Abdikadir Mohamed

> Saadiq Abdikadir Mohamed (b.1996): footballer threatened by al-Shabaab, subject of Men in the Arena.

Source page: https://calankii.com/en/people/saadiq-abdikadir-mohamed/
Last checked: 2026-11-12
Publisher: Calankii (https://calankii.com)

## Who is he?

Saadiq Abdikadir Mohamed is a Somali footballer, born in Nakuru, Kenya, on 15 January 1996 to a Somali mother ([Wikipedia, Saadiq Abdikadir Mohamed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saadiq_Abdikadir_Mohamed)). His father died when he was young, and he grew up in both Kenya and Somalia, playing for Banadir in Somalia and AFC Leopards in Kenya (same source).

## Threats in Somalia

Wikipedia says he was among many footballers targeted by al-Shabaab for playing football ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saadiq_Abdikadir_Mohamed)). After a youth championship qualifying win over [Sudan](/en/diaspora/sudan/), he gave an interview that appeared to question al-Shabaab and called for peace, and received many death threats (same source). Two months earlier a teammate had been killed after staying behind with him for extra training (same source).

## Kenya and the United States

Back in Kenya he was arrested several times without charge, which Wikipedia says was to extract bribes from his family, and his Leopards contract was ended ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saadiq_Abdikadir_Mohamed)). He then went to the United States, trained with the FC Dallas academy, and joined Saint Louis University, where he made the A-10 All-Rookie team (same source). He later moved to Bradley University, was granted asylum in 2019 and graduated with honours in 2020 (same source).

## Men in the Arena

J. R. Biersmith's documentary *Men in the Arena* (2017) follows him and fellow Somali footballer Sa'ad Hussein ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saadiq_Abdikadir_Mohamed)).

## In short

A footballer who left Somalia after al-Shabaab threats and rebuilt his career in US college football.

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