Take me out to the Ball (Soccer) Game
Hi y’all!
I hope you’re doing great. As I type this, I’m on cloud nine. Okay, my allergies are acting up, and every muscle in my body is sore — but Senegal has just won its second African Cup of Nations soccer title. We have beaten Morocco, the host country of this tournament, despite several controversies. It was an interesting game with several plot twists; that would shame any Netflix series. However, please don't take my word for it; go check the game if you can.
Yesterday, the players finally arrived home with the cup. And this morning, they will be parading it on the streets of Dakar. I am torn between going out to see them and my fear of a huge crowd. I might stay home and watch on television.
Today, I want to discuss another soccer-related topic: my first stadium experience watching Senegal play at home. The 2026 World Cup is around the corner, and Senegal has been on a mission. We played matches here and abroad — against South Sudan, the DRC, and others — and came out strong in most of them.
I’ve always wanted to experience a match at the new Abdoulaye Wade Stadium, especially with my boys. In 2025, our office had a team building there, and I could not help but admire the beauty of that place. But every time, the logistics got the best of me. The stadium is far (though technically accessible by train or car), but y’all know — I don’t drive. I couldn’t ask my dad either, and beyond the distance, it’s the chaos of game day that made me hesitate. In March 2024, my friend and I took our sons to watch the BAL tournament, and what an ordeal that was! We promised ourselves that next time, if we ever returned, we’d stay overnight nearby. There were a few more soccer games since then, but I always found out too late — and with the kids back at school, I couldn’t just whisk them away for football. So, I watched the recent games from home.
Then, out of nowhere, the day before the big match, my friend called. She invited me to come watch the game and stay overnight. I told her I was broke and couldn’t afford my share. Her answer? “Don’t worry — I’m inviting you. All expenses paid.”
I was speechless. And, of course, I said yes.
On Tuesday afternoon, after wrapping up a few work documents, I left home at 2PM to take the train. We booked first-class tickets to make sure we had seats — a little luxury for a 45-minute ride. Once we arrived, there were no taxis, but plenty of free shuttles heading to the stadium. We decided to walk — about 20 minutes — and called it our cardio session of the day.
At the hotel, check-in was smooth. To my surprise, my friend had booked two separate rooms. Mine was spacious, beautifully decorated, with all the amenities I needed. After praying and resting a bit, we got ready and headed to the stadium, conveniently located just next door.
Once inside, things didn’t get easier. Finding our seats felt like a treasure hunt with no map. We asked around, grabbed snacks and drinks, and finally found the VIP area, which was already packed. Free food and drinks were available nearby, but apparently, eating at our seats was forbidden.
When we finally sat down, disappointment hit — no legroom at all in the VIP section! And worse, people were sitting wherever they pleased. We had to ask someone to move from our seats, and eventually gave up, choosing random seats ourselves.
No leg room!
As the teams entered the field for warm-up, the stadium slowly filled. It wasn’t at full capacity, which wasn’t surprising. Ticket prices had recently tripled — from 1,000 XOF (less than $2) to 3,000 XOF (less than $6)—for the basic ones, sparking outrage online. Football is supposed to be for everyone, and many fans boycotted the game altogether.
Senegal warming up session
Honestly, I understood their frustration. The football federation really needs to get its act together — from ticketing chaos to poor organisation, it’s a mess. Even in the VIP area, people argued over seats. But once the match started… (almost) all of that faded.
Watching Senegal play live, up close, was magical. I screamed, I danced, I lost my voice — and when we won 4–0, securing our spot in the World Cup, I nearly cried. It was pure joy.
After the game, we stayed a bit, hoping to see the players. A few came by to wave, but no selfies or autographs for me this time. My friend and I headed back to the hotel, utterly exhausted but happy. We had dinner, showered, and by 11 p.m., I peeked out the window to see a never-ending line of cars heading back to Dakar. I silently thanked my friend again — staying overnight was the smartest decision ever.
Desert and hot chocolate
The line of cars trying to reach the toll
The next morning, after a hearty breakfast, we took the hotel shuttle to the train station and headed home — refreshed, grateful, and ready to tackle the workday.
Dress - H&M (Dubai)
scrambled eggs with sausage, cheese and potatoes with Maciato
It was an incredible experience, but honestly? I think I might be getting too old for this! I like football, but I’m a casual fan at best. Like my son teased me, I only watch Senegal during AFCON and World Cup. The emotions, the tension, the shouting — it’s a lot! I don’t know how die-hard fans do this regularly.
Still, next time, I’m bringing the boys. I want them to feel that energy, that pride. And next time, I’ll be better prepared — maybe even with a power bank that passes security.
But one thing’s for sure: I really do have golden friends.
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