Abéné, AFCON & A Night Senegal Will Never Forget
Abéné, AFCON & A Night Senegal Will Never Forget
When I’d planned my visit to Abéné Village in Senegal this January, I had no idea my visit would coincide with the final of the Africa Cup of Nations. But there I was, right in the heart of West Africa, as Senegal faced Morocco in a match that would grip an entire nation.
In West Africa, football isn’t just watched — it’s experienced together. Many locals gather in video shops — simple community spaces where matches are shown on a big television or projected onto a large screen. It’s an affordable way for people to watch the game if they don’t have access to a television at home or enough mobile data. Earlier that afternoon, Lamin and I had popped into a video shop to watch the Aston Villa v Everton match. As you can see from the photo, it was fairly quiet. I suppose there aren’t too many Aston Villa supporters in Abéné! But we both knew that by evening, things would be very different.
⚽ Football Before Festivals
That same evening, Malo Sonko’s djembe group Dimbaya (which, as you know, means family in Mandinka) were due to attend the Kartong Riverside Festival. But realistically? That was never going to happen.
The bus driver, the members of Dimbaya and, it seemed, the whole of Senegal had just one focus — the final. Would their country lift the trophy?
I ended up watching the match on a mobile phone with Lamin Barrow and the few remaining staff at Tu Casa En Africa. The rest of the staff had gone home — quite rightly — to watch with family and friends. We watched intently (armed with snacks – Ginger Nut biscuits and BBQ Pringles) as the whole penalty controversy unfolded and the Senegal team temporarily walked off. Extra time came. Tension rose. And then… we all know the outcome.
🥁 When the Final Whistle Blew…
Tu Casa En Africa sits on the edge of the village. But the moment the final whistle was blown and Senegal were crowned champions, Abéné exploded into life.
Drumming began almost instantly. From the darkness came shouting, singing, and waves of pure joy. You can actually hear the drums in the night in my video. It was impossible to sit still. I turned to Lamin and said, “Can we drive into the heart of the village?”
And so we did.
The scenes were extraordinary. Residents of Abéné — and by extension, the whole of Senegal — were dancing in the streets, waving flags, embracing one another. West Africans truly know how to celebrate. The energy was electric. The joy was infectious. The celebrations carried on long into the night with drumming, singing and dancing under the stars.
It was one of those moments where you don’t just witness history — you feel it.
A Nation Celebrates
The following day, the entire country closed down for a national holiday. Quite rightly so! I suspect many were recovering from the previous night’s dancing, drumming and singing.
For me, this wasn’t just about football. It was about community. It was about identity. It was about pride. And it was a privilege to experience it in Abéné — surrounded by friends, music, and the unmistakable heartbeat of West Africa.
Moments like this remind me why I love coming here.
What a night. What a country. What a celebration.
