After the tragic opening of The Africa Cup of Nations when 8 supporters were killed in a crush at Cameroon Stadium the competition grew into a spectacle of colour and excitement.
The Cup was decided in a tight final between Senegal and Egypt and the diaspora watched at home and in local bars throughout the world. In Cardiff, Karibu and Mandela were hosts to a large turnout.
Isaac from Eritrea watched the final intensively on the edge of his seat supporting Senegal in Karibu, Café-Bar but why is an east African supporting the west African country. He says “ I have some historical liking for them. When they got to the World Cup quarter finals in 2002 I was very young and watched with my father so from then they have been my number one African team”.
It was a close tense game with nobody able to score during the 90 minutes and extra time. Penalties loomed and Isaac showed his emotions’” I was worried, he said, I felt that the Egyptian goalkeeper Gabaski performed well and had made brilliant saves during the game and I felt he would save the penalties and Senegal would lose the shoot-out especially after he saved a penalty from Sadie Mane during the game but I also knew Mendy is a great keeper”.
As the shoot-out came to an end and Mane put the ball on the spot knowing if he scored it would win his country the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time. The pressure was immense. Not so much for Mane but also Isaac as he shouted, “ one more, one more !!!. The Liverpool star kept his cool after missing earlier and sent his country and Isaac into extasy. Eyes wide with the biggest smile Isaac jumped from his seat with arms raised in excitement and as the Senegal players ran to embrace Mane so Isaac turned and grabbed anybody he could find in the Karibu crowd.
“I couldn’t believe the feeling, said Isaac, I felt like I was on another planet, out of this world. I feel really happy”. As did the entire Senegal population with President Macky Sall declaring February 7th a National Holiday. Senegal managed to get an historic win over the Egyptian national team in a match the got people watching anxiously in support of their favorite teams as two Liverpool super stars, Mane (Senegal) and Salah (Eygpt) tried to win the match for their teams .
Senegalese President is reported to have cancelled a trip to Comoros to welcome the triumphant Senegalese team led by Liverpool striker, Sadie Mane back home.
Africa Welsh News media editor, Glenn Edwards was at Karibu restaurant and Cafe.
Interview
Glenn Edwards spoke to Issac who lives in Cardiff but is originally from Eritrea.
Glenn - Why are you supporting Senegal
Isaac - I have some historical liking for the Senegalese team. From Eritrea, I have always supported Senegal. Once they got to the quarter finals in the World Cup and so for me, they are my number one African team
Glenn - I noticed whilst you were watching the game that you emotions were sometimes high and at other times, your emotions were running low. How did you feel when it went into penalties?
Isaac - I was worried because I felt that the Egyptian goal keeper performed well and has been a brilliant goal keeper and so I thought that Senegal would lose the shoot out but Mendy was also good
Glenn - So how did you feel when it got to the last penalty?
Isaac - I felt that when Mendy said a penalty, I was sure that Mane was going to score .
Glenn - Just when Mane was about to take the kick, I heard you shouting that it is the last one. How could you have been so sure that Mane would score? And it went in, how did you feel?
Isaac - I felt like I was on another planet. Out of this world. I feel really happy. Amazing
Glenn - Thank you for your chatting with us. Enjoy the celebrations
