From frenzy to heartbreak: How Senegal fans reacted to World Cup exit
Preparations for the watch party of the round of 32 match between Senegal and Belgium started nearly two hours before kick-off time.
A spirited group of Senegalese youth sang and danced on the sidewalks of Little Senegal in New York City’s Harlem.
Inside the Association des Sénégalais d'Amerique (ASA) office, Senegal Rekk by legendary Senegalese musician Youssou N’Dour and other songs composed for the World Cup blasted from a giant speaker.
By kick-off, the room was packed with Senegalese, other African nationals, and fans from different countries as well as the New York City media. The chatter in the room was reduced to grunts and shouts at missed opportunities by Senegal to score in the early moments of the game.
When Habib Diarra scored Senegal’s first goal in the 24th minute, there was an explosion of joy and hugs all around. With Senegal taking the lead, fans were hopeful they would win the match. Ismaila Sarr’s 51st-minute goal was greeted with shouts of celebration from the stores lining 116th Street.
But the mood soon changed when Romelu Lukaku scored in the 86th minute of the game. The disappointment of Senegal’s supporters was managed as they hoped the game would end 2-1 in their favour until Youri Tielemans’ equaliser a few minutes later. And when Belgium finally took the lead in extra time, most fans knew there was no coming back.
The drumming, singing, and euphoria that preceded the game never returned after Belgium’s first goal. As fans walked out of the viewing centre, their disappointment with the team was evident. Some blamed the coach for his choices, particularly his latter substitutions, but others felt the team as a whole did not approach the match as though they really wanted to advance to the next stage.
Nii Akrofi Smart-Abbey is an award-winning international journalist, writer, and host of the A55 Podcast. Nii Akrofi has worked with local and international media in Ghana, Congo and the United States. He has contributed to news platforms like Zenger News, Africanews, W42ndST, and foreignpresscorrespondents.com.
