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Iliassou Nana Bah may be Cameroonian, this Tuesday, January 11, it is the black-white-red flag of Egypt that he tied around his neck. This economics student is preparing to attend “A shock poster worthy of a final” : at the Roumdé-Adjia stadium in Garoua (north), the Pharaohs face Nigeria for their first group match of the African Cup of Nations (CAN) – finally won by the Super Eagles (1-0).
But if Iliassou is there, it’s ” above all “ for a man ; a footballer whose matches he follows on television, he specifies, showing off like a trophy a sign with the inscription: “Mr. Salah Fan Club”. Mohamed Salah, the star of the Egyptian team and the English club Liverpool, is “The idol”, “the model”, “the god of the round ball in Africa” for the young man, vice-president of this fan club that has existed for more than five years in Garoua and has around a hundred members.
Five seats away, in a stadium still empty two hours before the start of the match, Idrissou Djibrila also confesses “Mad love for Salah”. His “Brilliant game”, his “Incomparable talent”, her “Unique way to hold the ball “… “When I heard that he was going to play here in Garoua, I was so happy, as if I had won money”, launches the 30-year-old trader.
In Cameroon’s third largest city, the arrival of “Mo” Salah on Saturday sparked excitement among fans. Many admirers rushed to the entrance of his hotel, shouting and singing, in the hope of seeing their favorite player appear. “He’s a Muslim like me, he prays like me. He is millions rich but does not show himself, he simply lives. He’s so talented. How not to love him? “, explains Mahamat Mahamat, 36 years old. Taken with an irrepressible desire to see him play before his eyes, he even agreed to be vaccinated against Covid-19 – an obligation to be able to access the stadium -, despite his frank hostility. “However, I had sworn to myself never to have the vaccine injected, he sighs. I did it for him. “
Disillusionment
In the stands, Nigerian fans are very numerous. The border with Nigeria is very close and many spectators have arrived by road. Others are already living in Cameroon. But even among Super Eagles supporters, there are more than one to declare bluntly “To be hyper fans” of Mohamed Salah, a sign of the immense popularity of the Liverpool striker across the continent. “If Egypt played against another team, I would have supported Salah », Explains Nani Okweze, hat green-white-green (the colors of Nigeria) on the head. “When he scores, I spend the best evenings. Today, I am obliged to support Nigeria, but I would not like our Mohamed to be hurt ”, Eleven adds..
Tuesday, however, it is the disillusion that seized the many admirers of the Pharaoh. The only goal of the game was scored by Nigerian Kelechi Iheanacho, while Mohamed Salah missed his only chance, losing his duel with goalkeeper Maduka Okoye in the 71st.e minute. But for fans of “Mo”, the fault lies with the coach, who “Did not know how to place it better” ; in Liverpool, who has it “Released late », Not giving him time to rest; or to his teammates, who “Still do not know how to play with him”.
Lucid, Iliassou Nana Bah finds that his “Idol” did not make a ” beautiful “ match. Egypt still has to face Sudan and Guinea-Bissau. “I am convinced that he will score and that we will qualify for the next round”, assures the vice-president of the fan club, still wrapped in the Egyptian flag.