Tuesday 22 February, 2022 was a great day for Senegal to continue celebrating their first ever AFCON win 2021edtion that took place in Cameroon from January 09th to February 06th, 2022. Senegal for the first time took home the trophy on February 06th at the Olembe Omni sports Stadium in Yaounde_Cameroon.
These celebration saw the influx of thousands of Senegalese to the Diamaindo locality, some 30km from the capital city Dakar for the inauguration of a 50000 seater capacity stadium by Macky Small, president of Senegal and other VIPs.
The stade du Senegal constructed for a duration of 18months at a cost of €238 million (approximately XAF 156 billion, $279million ) by a Turkish company, Summa construction company will be home to more sporting events in Africa as it is ready for the 2026 world youth Olympic games , first if it’s kind in Africa.
Macky Sall, Turkish president_Recep Tayyip Erdogan, FIFA president _Gianni Infantino and Samuel ETOO Fils Cameroons FECAFOOT president were among the dignitaries in attendance of the inaugural event.
At the inaugural ceremony, Senegalese president, Macky Sall Said “the stadium will be named after Senegal’s former president, Abdoulaye Wade, as a “tribute to the multidimensional, intellectual, Pan-Africanist politician”. He added that, ” the beautiful infrastructure_dedicated to young people is an invitation to continue our path towards excellence”.
The jubilant crowds came by bus and train for the inauguration following Senegal’s dramatic victory at the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) on February 6. The train route linking the stadium was opened in December 2021.
As part of the event, an exhibition match will be played between Senegals legends including the current Coach Aliou Cissé against African all stars like the likes of Didier Drogba of Ivory Coast and Cameroons Samuel Etoo Fils.
On the reaction of the jubilant crowds, Dieng 24 and fan had this to say. “It is a source of pride to have a stadium as beautiful as this in Senegal. The country needed it to restore it’s footballing image. Another fan, Ibou Ngom 29 said “I have never seen such a great stadium. I hope it will be properly maintained so that it lasts for a very long Time”
Senegal continues to make her citizens and Africa proud with beautiful infrastructural Developments.
“Curled from: PunchNews”
Congratulations Sall.
