Football

Eastleigh's football frenzy: Passion and excitement as Africa Cup of Nations begins

Guinea-Bissau and Ivory Coast opened the AFCON 2024 tournament on January 13, 2024. Nairobi's Eastleigh neigbourhood has a lot of football fans. (Photos: Issouf Sanogo from AFP and Eastleigh Voice)

By Sports Reporter | Sunday, January 14, 2024

Eastleigh is known not only for its dynamic business culture but also for its deeply rooted love for football.

As the sun set over Eastleigh on Saturday evening, the vibrant neighbourhood came alive with an energy that has defined its culture for years.

I took a stroll through the bustling streets of this mixed-use neighbourhood located east of Nairobi's Central Business District.

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Eastleigh is known not only for its dynamic business culture but also for its deeply rooted love for football.

The AFCON 2023/24 served as the backdrop for my stroll, as I sought the thoughts and predictions of residents on the ongoing tournament in Cote d'Ivoire.

Eastleigh, with local tournaments, spirited support for the Kenya Premier League and a dedicated following of European football leagues, is an area filled with football enthusiasts.

The excitement was notable as I walked across a local football pitch, where groups of young boys had gathered.

"The AFCON 2023 first game will be electrifying! Ivory Coast will show their worth, and I'm eager to see how they perform throughout. Egypt, with the likes of Salah, remains a top contender, but let's not overlook Nigeria and Senegal; they have strong teams," said Ahmed Abdullahi, a fervent fan.

The discussions made the resonance of specific teams with Eastleigh's community apparent. Teams like Morocco, Algeria, Egypt, and Tunisia, boasting prominent players, garnered significant local support.

Guinea-Bissau's Mauro Rodrigues controls the ball as he is marked by Ivory Coast's Jeremie Boga during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2024 Group A match at the Alassane Ouattara Olympic Stadium in Ebimpe, Abidjan, on January 13, 2024. (Photo: Sia Kambou/AFP)

Faduma Ali, who operates a local general shop along First Avenue, is a passionate football fan.

She expressed her sentiments on certain players saying, "Our brothers on the field make us proud. Salah, Hakimi, Mahrez and Msakni are not just players, they're our heroes. I believe one of these teams will make it to the final."

I spoke with Abdi Omar, another local, who owns a motorcycle he uses to do business and move around in the neighbourhood.

"These tournaments are a source of inspiration for our youth. Seeing their idols on the global stage motivates them to pursue their dreams. The next Salah or Mahrez could very well be right here in Eastleigh," he said.

Zainab, who runs an eatery restaurant on Eastleigh’s 2^nd Avenue, also shared her predictions, "Senegal is my pick. They have a balanced team, and Sadio Mane is a game-changer. But keep an eye on Ghana and Kudus, they could pull off surprises."

In Eastleigh, football is more than a game; it's a unifying force that brings people together across cultural and religious divides.

In the opening match of the AFCON on Saturday, hosts Ivory Coast triumphed over Guinea Bissau 2-0, with Al-Nassr's Seko Fofana opening The Elephants' account in the 4th minute, courtesy of an assist from Jean-Phillipe Kraaso, who sealed the win with a brilliant strike in the 58th minute.