Popular Somali referee, Osman Jama Dirah has been shot dead on Thursday evening near his home in the Somali capital, Mogadishu.

Osman Jama Dirah, who started his refereeing career in the 90’s, has officiated regional and international football matches and was formerly the head of Somali Football Federation referee committee.

Anas Ali Mohamud, a former Somali National Team player, and friend of the deceased told reporters after the incident: “The sports officer was killed after leaving mosque on the way to his residence in Wardhigley district. Two men armed with pistols shot him several times,”

“Somali sports figures and members of the Somali Football Federation have never been a target for the armed groups because they did not get involved into politics, they were entertainers. But the killing of this official has created a fear and uncertainty among us”

However, the motives behind Dirah’s death are yet to be ascertained as no armed ghas have claimed responsibility for the killing.