Gisenyi City which is 161 kilometers by road from the Capital Kigali and approximately three hours drive is just at the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo with the nearest town of Goma on the Congo side a ten minutes walk.

As we endured the meanders and terrains of the roads leading to that city to catch up with the last quarter final match between African soccer powerhouse Zambia against West African side Guinea, you could notice so many Congolese who had traveled all the way from Congo to Kigali to cheer their team in the first quarter final match between the hosts

The Congo man as they are known promised to come back by Wednesday to continue cheering their team in the semis.

Speaking in fluent Swahili, one Selenge Bande said he will be back to cheer their team upto the finals as we had a brief chat at Musanze town approximately 60kilometres to Gisenyi . ‘We had an interesting match against Rwanda and now we are thinking of meeting Guinea in the final, I would not support Zambia because of reasons best known to me’ the Congolese said.

As we get to Gisenyi City surrounded by a huge Lake Kivu that is shared by the two countries we get a group of supporters in the Guinea colours, they say they have traveled from the other side of the border to come cheer Guinea. ‘We both speak French and we would like Guinea to progress, that’s why I am here, I don’t stay far from this town, Goma is just ten minutes using a motorbike and with my friends we will support Guinea.’

congo borders Zambia on the southern part with Lubumbashi, home to African club defending champion TP Mazembe just situated near the Zambian border with Towns like Ndola and Kitwe posing the rivalry that could have made many Congolese to support the opposing Guinea.

A well balanced match to its standards with both teams culprits of missed opportunities. Guinea the better team in the first half but Zambia containing them in the second half.

You could notice two sets of fans with the Congolese fans mostly supporting Guinea on the right side while the Rwanda fans mostly supporting Zambia on the left

After the match Guinea players including their coach started celebrating and dancing to the tune of the music by Congolese Musician Fally Ipupa while still in the stadium as they moved towards the dressing room in style as the Chipolopolo players were seen down on their feet.

Austin Oduor

talking African football