Euphoria engulfs Abidjan as TotalEnergies CAF AFCON fever grips Cote d’Ivoire
The streets of Abidjan are buzzing with excitement as fans flock in from across Africa ahead of the continent’s biggest football party kicking off on Saturday night.
Cote d’Ivoire’s capital has become a sea of color and noise as the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations hype shifts into overdrive.
Fans draped in their national colors have poured into the city, with streets and bars filled with jerseys, flags, and vuvuzelas.
Buses full of supporters have recently arrived from neighboring countries like Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali, Senegal, Mauritania, and Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the airport has been abuzz as fans and media fly in from across Africa and the world before the tournament opener, with cities across the country witnessing a similar wave.
“The atmosphere here is amazing already,” said Morocco fan Hassan El Bakkali told CafOnline.com in Abidjan on Saturday morning.
An Ivorian fan, Yves Bedie, said: “Everyone is excited for the football to start. You can feel the AFCON fever building in the city.”
Vendors are capitalizing on the football frenzy by selling team jerseys, caps, scarves, and paraphernalia on street corners.
Roads are jammed with honking cars and motorbikes festooned with flags as national pride sweeps through Abidjan.
Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Morocco, and Mali colors are proving particularly popular given the heavy expectations on the hosts and reigning champions.
But shirts from Nigeria, Cameroon, and North African nations like Egypt also sell fast.
A carnival atmosphere will engulf the stadium when the Elephants take on Guinea-Bissau at the Stade Olympique d’Ebimpé on Saturday night.
Ivorians are confident their array of Europe-based stars like Sebastian Haller, Simon Adingra, and Franck Kessie can deliver glory on home soil.
An electric opening ceremony will further crank up the voltage inside the packed 60,000-seater arena in Abidjan.
But the AFCON passion is not confined to the Ivorian capital, with millions across Africa eagerly counting down to kick-off.
From fan parks in Senegal to crowded bars in Morocco, an entire continent is holding its breath in anticipation.
The following month will be an enthralling ride for Africans as 24 finalists battle for continental supremacy.
But this weekend, all eyes are on Abidjan as Cote d’Ivoire prepares to host the world’s most thrilling sporting spectacle.