Côte d'Ivoire has been hosting the 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations since January 13. While Benin's Guépards failed to qualify for the competition, Beninese fans are nevertheless celebrating this festival of African soccer.
Cotonou is living the competition
Thursday, January 18, 2024, match day in Ebimpé. Côte d'Ivoire take on giant Nigeria at the Stade Alassane Ouattara for day 2 of the AFCON 2023. The sky is cloudy, partly overcast, 32°C in the late afternoon in the vicinity of the Abomey-Calavi town hall, 12 km from Cotonou. Cries of "allez les éléphants", or "Go Nigeria", from fans dressed in orange shirts, others in white, and another indifferent group, capture our attention in a cafeteria. "If it wasn't for eating, you wouldn't see me here, Benin isn't here, why would I spend my time shouting here", confides Firmin, in his thirties.
"I enjoy following the other nations"
Firmin's words gave José a headache, as he felt that his neighbor was not a soccer lover."Even if Benin isn't taking part, I take pleasure in following the other nations, especially Côte d'Ivoire and Senegal, two nations I love so much. Why are we following the World Cup when Benin has never qualified? I don't give a damn about their absence," says this fan with fury.
Abibou Saïbou, the bar's promoter, points to the crowds to analyze Beninese interest. "Every match has its own crowd, but there have always been plenty.Customers aren't very interested in Benin's absence. Here, we experience the best moments in soccer. It's a celebration of African soccer."In his opinion, Benin's absence from the competition is a cause for regret, given the teams' performances on the first day. "Watching the matches of this AFCON, we sometimes wonder if Benin's absence isn't a chance for our hearts to be tranquil to see what the teams produce."
Giant screens in the city
In the heart of Cotonou, matches are broadcast on giant screens across the city. In the Fidjrossè district, a public broadcast with quizzes to win prizes brings people together. Here, people are gathered for the Morocco-Tanzania (3-0) match. Beninese and Moroccan fans, most of them wearing Atlas Lions tunics, wave the Moroccan flag. "I'll win 300,000 if Morocco wins by a two-goal margin", hopes this soccer punter.
Benin is absent from Côte d'Ivoire, but the public is experiencing the tournament in a different way. Alongside two Beninese referees who have been booked for the competition, some thirty journalists and sports reporters are in Didier Drogba's homeland to bring the event to life for fans.
