MOGADISHU, June 11 -- Residents in the Somali capital Mogadishu are frantically doing last minute shopping to prepare to view the 2014 football World Cup to kick off in Brazil on Thursday.

Hundreds of shoppers flock to the main Bakara market to buy TV sets, satellite dishes and receivers to view the 2014 World Cup for the first time since the ouster of the radical Islamist group of Al Shabaab in late 2011.

The Al Qaeda-linked militant group controlled much of Mogadishu and other parts of south-central Somalia before they were driven out by Somali government forces backed by troops from the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).

Yahya Ali, 28, a resident in Hodan district of Mogadishu said his family had been making sacrifices for years to be able to buy the necessary equipments to be able to see such international sports events as the World Cup in Brazil this season.

"We are really pleased that we are ready for the event and my family will be able to join world sports lovers in watching the opening ceremony and the game between Croatia and host country Brazil," Ali said as he carried the equipments he bought to his home.

Mogadishu has been witnessing a relative stability since the Islamist rebels fled the city in the face of the major government and AMISOM offensive almost three years ago.

Much of the city has been populated after thousands of people who were displaced by the fighting returned and rebuilt their homes. Businesses have also have picked up as returning Somalis from the diaspora began investing in various ventures including hotels, restaurants and general merchandise.

During their control of parts of Mogadishu and other main cities in the south and centre of Somalia, Al Shabaab militants have banned the viewing of international football tournaments, and listening music and wearing of western clothes in areas under the control.

Residents in the capital Mogadishu have welcomed the freedom to view the world cup without fear of punishments by the ousted militant group whose influence declined in much of the south and centre of horn of Africa nation.

"I am pleased that we can watch the World Cup without fear. We will enjoy watching the beautiful game being played. I hope we will be able to see cup come to Africa this time," Maryan Ulosow, a mother of three said in Mogadishu.

Football fans support various countries as Somalia has not qualified for the world cup. Some cheer for African countries while others support Arab and Muslim states taking part in the games while others support countries where their favorite football stars play in.

"I am a supporter of Spain and I hope the Spanish team will win the world cup this year. I will not miss any of the matches it will play even if it is late into the night," said Muse Jama, a football fan in Mogadishu.