The streets of Abidjan, the capital of Cote d’Ivoire, are bustling with excitement as football fans from all over Africa pour in to witness the biggest football event of the continent, the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, which is set to begin on Saturday night.
The entire city has transformed into a vibrant sea of colours and noise as the tournament’s hype shifts into overdrive.
National flags and jerseys, vuvuzelas, scarves, and caps have taken over the streets and bars as fans draped in their home country’s colours celebrate their love for the game.
Buses filled with supporters from neighbouring countries like Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali, Senegal, Mauritania, and Nigeria have arrived in the city in recent days, while the airport has been buzzing with fans and media flying in from across Africa and the world.
The atmosphere in the city is electric, with everyone looking forward to the start of the football tournament.
The vendors have also capitalized on the football frenzy, selling team jerseys, caps, scarves, and other paraphernalia on street corners.
The roads are jammed with honking cars and motorbikes festooned with flags as national pride sweeps through Abidjan.
Although the home team, Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Morocco, and Mali colours are proving particularly popular due to the heavy expectations on the hosts and reigning champions, shirts from Nigeria, Cameroon, and North African nations, like Egypt, are also selling fast.
When the Elephants play against Guinea-Bissau at the Stade Olympique d’Ebimpé on Saturday night, the stadium will be engulfed in a carnival atmosphere.
Ivorians are confident that 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.
However, 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.
In the next month, 24 finalists will battle for continental supremacy, and this weekend, all eyes are on Abidjan as Cote d’Ivoire prepares to host the world’s most thrilling sporting spectacle.
