Wednesday April 1, 2020
Football legend Saeed Duaale, who was top scorer at the 1972 CECAFA Club Cup, has died in Aden aged 73 after a lengthy terminal illness.
Born in Aden, Yemen in 1947 when it was still a British protectorate, Saeed Mohammad Duaale would go on to become a sports icon in both Arabia and East Africa. Duaale dominated the Somali Premier Division for over a decade while playing for Booliiska FC, Bakaal FC, and most notably Horseed FC.
His most notable achievement came in 1972 when he almost single-handedly led Horseed FC to the CECAFA Club Cup. Horseed would go on to lose 2-1 in the final to Luo Union. To date, Horseed remains the only Somali club to reach the final of the competition.
Following the tournament, Duaale was unanimously named as the best player in East & Central Africa for the 1971-72 season. Duaale was also an integral part of the Somali National Football team during the 1970s and 80s.
His prolific goal-scoring record and free-kick ability made him an instant fan favourite - he was dubbed ‘Maliku Al Kuraa’- King of Football. Many of his records still stand today and he is widely considered one of the region’s best all-time players.
Duaale also played for Zamalek SC in Egypt and the UAE's Al-Wahda. Although his short stint as a player at both clubs ended due to injury.
After officially retiring from his playing career, he became a lecturer in physical education in Aden, Yemen. He also served as a coach and ambassador for Al- Tilal FC Yemen’s oldest sports club.
His funeral took place this afternoon at the Al-Ihsan Mosque in the Tawila area of Aden city.
Saeed Duaale playing for Horseed in Somalia during 1970s, on the team photo pictured bottom left.