Football has the power to transform communities and bring people together, and this is exactly what happened in Bouake, the second-largest city in Côte d’Ivoire.
In September 2002, the city was plunged into a Civil War, as troops took control of the Northern part of the country.
The impact of this conflict was devastating, with the once-vibrant city left battered and scarred.
During the height of the war, Bouake was a shadow of its former self, with child soldiers patrolling the streets in armored tanks and the occasional sound of gunshots at night.
The Stade de la Paix, a stadium that had previously been used for the 1984 TotalEnergies CAF AFCON, was used as an execution site, according to locals.
Fear and uncertainty were rampant, and it seemed like the city would never recover.
However, in June 2007, the Stade de la Paix played host to Côte d’Ivoire’s game against Madagascar in the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON 2008 qualifiers.
This event marked a turning point for the city, as 25,000 fans witnessed Côte d’Ivoire’s 5-0 victory, and the unifying power of football became evident.
Two decades later, Bouake has undergone a remarkable transformation.
The city, once a rebel base, is now hosting Africa’s flagship football tournament, the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Côte d’Ivoire 2023, at the renovated Stade de la Paix, which now has a 40,000-seater capacity.
The city is now welcoming Africa’s football community, and the atmosphere is one of excitement and celebration.
Beyond the beauty of the football witnessed here, the town has benefited significantly from the infrastructure and economic boost that AFCON has provided.
The tournament has uplifted spirits that were once in the woods, and the people of Bouake are proud of their city’s transformation.
For many locals who have witnessed both sides of Bouake, the current state of the city is nothing short of a fairytale.
The unifying force of football has brought people together, and the impact of this transformation will be felt for years to come.
As the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON 2023 comes to a close, the people of Bouake will look back on this event with pride and gratitude, knowing that once upon a time, football came to town and changed everything.
