The five boiling stages of African football

Mohamed V Stadium in Casablanca: The theater of emotions
Nicknamed "the temple", the Mohamed V complex is undoubtedly the epicenter of ultra culture in Africa. Here, the derbys between Raja and Wydad transform the stands into a giant canvas. Tifos, world-renowned for their complexity and aesthetics, are only the tip of the iceberg.

From the warm-up, the pressure rises a notch with songs coordinated by thousands of voices that never fade out. For an opponent, entering this field is like entering an arena where each touch of the ball is commented by a deafening clamor. It is a place where sport meets performance art, but where the hostility to sport remains palpable at every second.

Historic match in the 8th final return of the Arab Cup in 2019, Wydad leads 4-1 in the 73rd minute. In an atmosphere of end of the world, carried by a public in trance, the Raja scored three goals in 15 minutes to snatch the 4-4 and qualification in the quarterfinals. A Hollywood scenario made possible by the unreal thrust of the stands.

Cairo International Stadium: The red and white hell
When Al Ahly or Zamalek receive more than 75,000 seats in this venue, the setting changes dimensions. The International Stadium in Cairo is a fortress where smoke and incessant songs create an atmosphere of siege. The particular acoustics of the stadium sends sound back to the pitch with a force that destabilizes the most experienced teams. 

It is here that the history of the giants of Egypt is written, in a place that makes any communication impossible between the players. The fervor is almost religious, driven by an expectation of permanent victory that transforms the slightest underperformance into a national drama.

It was this venue that hosted the final of the 2020 CAF Champions League between the two eternal rivals, Al Ahly and Zamalek. Although contested with health restrictions due to COVID, the energy surrounding the stadium and the few thousand privileged people present created such tension that Mohamed Magdy Afsha’s goal in the 86th minute remained engraved as "the cry of Cairo".

Stadium 5 July 1962 in Algiers: The Algerian "Tribunal"
In Algiers, the Stade du 5 Juillet is feared for its high standards. Algerian fans, known for their in-depth knowledge of the game, don’t just sing: they judge. Each action is scrutinized, encouraged or scolded with a rare intensity.

The stadium is famous for its "vibrant" smoke cracking that lights up Algerian night, but above all for its ability to carry the national team, when it played there, or local clubs to the top of interclub competitions. The pressure is physical, almost stifling, and the atmosphere can switch from euphoria to extreme tension in an instant, hence its nickname "court" where the public renders its sovereign verdict.

It is here, in front of more than 100,000 spectators (well beyond the official capacity), that Algeria beat Nigeria (1-0) in the final of the 1990 AFCON to win its first continental title. The roar at the final whistle remains, for many, the noisiest moment in the history of Algerian sport.

Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam: The new giant of the East
In recent years, Tanzania has imposed itself on the map of the wildest atmospheres with the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium. During the confrontations between Simba SC and Young Africans, the 60,000 places seem to be multiplying. The Tanzanian public has developed a culture of unconditional support that is second to none in the Eastern zone of the continent.

The waves of colors, the constant rhythm of percussions and the overflowing energy of the fans make this stadium a place where the sporting surprise is always possible. It is now one of the most feared trips for clubs in sub-Saharan Africa, as the public plays its role of twelfth man with contagious fervor.

A giant of the continent, Al Ahly experienced it during the 2021 Champions League against Simba. The Tanzanian club brought down the reigning African champion (1-0) in a glowing atmosphere. On that day, Africa understood that Dar es Salaam had become a stronghold where even the kings of Egypt could falter under popular pressure.

Stade des Martyrs de Kinshasa: la fureur du fleuve Congo
Impossible to close this ranking without mentioning the Stade des Martyrs in the Democratic Republic of Congo. When the Leopards or the AS Vita Club play there, or when the TP Mazembe moves there, the enclosure becomes the scene of a collective trance. The particularity of Kinshasa lies in its ability to mix partying and intimidation.

The songs are punctuated by an omnipresent musical culture, but make no mistake: the pressure on the referee and the opponent is monumental. In this concrete tank often crowded well beyond its theoretical capacity, the air seems to thicken under the cries of the supporters, creating a unique and terrifying sensory experience for anyone wearing the opponent’s jersey.

Against Morocco in the first leg of the 2022 World Cup, although the score was 1-1, the welcome given to Moroccans and the fervor from the warm-up marked everyone’s thoughts. The images of the grandstands overflowing, fans reaching up to the light posts, and deafing noise have reminded the world that the Martyrs' Stadium remains one of the most hostile environments in the world of football.