For these Montrealers, the Africa Cup of Nations represents home, love of soccer and unity

For nearly a month, Montrealers from African countries feature been assemblage in the city's cafés, restaurants, bars and the soothe of their possess homes to back up their respective teams in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations — the continent's preeminent soccer tournament.

Since Dec. 21, people have celebrated, laughed, smiled, sang and experienced a whirlwind of emotions as their teams won and lost, never losing their profound love for the sport and their home countries.

We went to different eateries to meet with soccer aficionados. Here is a look back at a month of sports, passion and African unity in the city. The competition ends on Sunday with a final between Senegal and the host country, Morocco.

In the heart of Montreal’s Mile End, Ivorian restaurant Le Platana buzzes with lively conversations. Ivory Coast supporters' eyes are glued to the TV screens, cheering on their team, the defending champions of 2023.

Ismael Ouattara downs a few shots.

“It's really a place that's full of emotion. I like coming here,” he said, beaming. “I have a few shots because you need to have your heart in the right place to watch this team.” 

Though he loves to gather with his community in Montreal, he said the atmosphere in Ivory Coast is completely different. 

“I remember when I was a kid, every evening, we would play soccer until 8 p.m., 9 p.m. We like soccer, it’s our favourite sport for all Ivorian people, I think,” said Ouattara.

“We like to get together, watch things together, live, experience emotions together, and that makes the experience more interesting.”

For Elie Tano, pre-game preparation begins with fashion. 

“Dressing well is my favourite ritual. Since I am someone who loves fashion, I brought out my orange, white and green outfit,” said Tano, dressed in the colours of Ivory Coast’s tricolour flag.

“I want people to feel that I am truly Ivorian.”

Lively Moroccan music, bright smiles and the sounds of the derbouka infuse a venue space in Montreal's Old Port with joy.

Dounia Slaoui, who came from Morocco in 2014, used to not watch the Africa Cup frequently. But now, it's become her bridge to her beloved home. 

“I had this nostalgia for Morocco, and that nostalgia has never left me since I arrived,” she said.

For Slaoui, the tournament goes beyond soccer, reinforcing her sense of belonging and affirming an unshakable pride in her nation’s achievements.

“It allows me to get to know a bit about the efforts our country is making to invest in this sport, which for us is a way to show what Morocco is capable of,” she said. 

This year, her friend Ghizlane Berrada joined her for her first Montreal watch party, organized by Moroccan Youth of Montreal.

“We always support the team, even if there’s a distance … between us. Our hearts are with the team,” said Berrada.

In the city, soccer fans of Senegalese descent move from venue to venue, their warmth, drumbeats and hospitability lighting up every space. 

Moustapha Fall works hard to create these moments of togetherness within his community, as well as with other members of African diasporas.

He is involved with Espace Afrique, which supports newly arrived students and young graduates from African countries, and SenMtl, an Instagram page highlighting Montreal Senegalese entrepreneurs.

“For me, the Africa Cup is truly the biggest thing that not only allows us to talk about our continent, but also to showcase our values, our cultures, and the moments of sharing between African communities,” said Fall.

“It’s really the only thing that can bring together different nations and different communities.”

Awa Kane’s eyes glimmer as she recalls memories of fan zones in her treasured Dakar, remembering the big screens they'd set up there. She says the fan zones in Montreal are reminiscent of her homeland.

“It allows me to have memories of my country, to relive my country even while being in Canada," said Kane.

Grace Nlom, a French student in Montreal of Cameroonian origin, noticed a stark contrast between soccer screenings in France and Montreal. That’s when she decided to create watch parties in the city.

“You can find all origins in Montreal and I feel like we don’t take full advantage of that,” said Nlom. 

“In France, people go out, people do things, and here I find it’s quiet, even though we really have great potential.” 

During the Cameroon versus Ivory Coast game, which ended in a draw, playful teasing flew back and forth at Le Bled Resto Lounge and happiness spread through the room.

“At the end of the day, we love each other so much,” Nlom said. 

For Pascal Sobtaguim, originally from Cameroon, the competition is more than a game.

“Very often, we tend to separate the peoples of Africa. I think the Africa Cup is a great opportunity for all peoples to gather in a country and enjoy it,” he said. 

“It always gives me goosebumps. It’s something special. It's not the Champions League, it’s not the Euro, it’s not the World Cup — it’s the Africa Cup.”

Café Safir, in the city's Little Maghreb neighbourhood, hums with warm energy as “1, 2, 3, Viva l’Algérie” and other Algerian chants fill the air.

For Hakim Ait Hamadouche, the Africa Cup is a recognition of his roots, “the foundation of our identity.”

“Over there, people stop everything because soccer in Algeria is like a religion. But even here, we’ve found a community that is growing more and more. In the end, we manage to come together with our fellow countrymen,” said Ait Hamadouche, with a smile.

Yazid Soualmia, who arrived two years ago with his family, drives to Little Maghreb to give his children a taste of their cultural heritage.

“For us, it’s important that they don’t forget their roots,” said Soualmia. “We’re happy here, we love Quebec, but we also won’t forget where we come from.” 

Instead of trying to recreate the ambiance at home, Germ Dilumona Capela, a Montrealer of Congolese origin, flew straight to Morocco to be in the heart of the action. 

His passion for the sport, which he now plays, began with his parents, who taught him about the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s successes during the tournament.

He said seeing his team play in person felt “magical."

“Being in the same stadium with 15,000 other Congolese people is really different from watching at home,” said Dilumona Capela.

“Morocco is a beautiful place … and Congo is on the rise in football.”

Meeting supporters from other countries was also a highlight. 

“We enjoy teasing each other online, so to speak, but in person, it’s even better,” he explained, laughing. “And whether you win or lose, the atmosphere among supporters is always nice.” 

Ahmed Ageeb, a Montrealer of Sudanese origin, felt a special thrill this year as his cherished Falcons of Jediane qualified for the first time in a few years.

“It’s such a blast because you’re probably not watching with someone from your same country,” Ageeb said, nodding to his Moroccan, Algerian and Egyptian friends. 

“Watching with them is nice because there’s some banter, there’s some back and forth. But it’s always good comradery.” 

Amid the teasing and the laughs, there’s a deep pride in these moments.

“I wouldn’t say that African sports are really televised as much, so when the AFCON comes along, we get a chance to have a little bit of national pride.” 

The next Africa Cup of Nations will take place in 2027. 

Journalist

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