"To develop ruined Somalia, we need education that could lead us to a permanent peace. But crying for football is like a child who runs out of milk. And that is silly," he added, angrily. "Read books rather than crying for Ronaldo or what!"

Mogadishu resident Halima Haji Hassan was annoyed with the decision to undo the ban, warning that it had opened floodgates to "dirty movies".

"The people who own the cinema halls are senseless and show movies that corrupt our children. I just wish the ban would continue forever," Hassan said.

Prior to the World Cup, traders had rushed to buy satellite dishes to help relay signals from Germany.

Last week, Islamic gunmen banned the tournament, notably in radical northern Mogadishu's Sukahola and Huriwa neighbourhoods, saying they were against some elements of the World Cup, notably the advertisements for alcohol.

The decision prompted violent protests in which two people were shot dead forcing the rest to comply with the ban.

Last year, the courts started to close cinema halls, arguing that they were showing steamy Bollywood and Hollywood films, which contravened the strict interpretation of Islamic teachings.

Somalia pulled out of international sporting events after the country plunged into anarchy following the violent ousting of dictator Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991.