After the vendors wrapped up our bundles of school supplies, the three of us walked a bit down the street to some stands selling soccer gear. We picked up 4 balls at around $12 USD a pop, but couldn’t find a trophy for the champions for a low enough price, even in a second shop we tried (they were asking around $40 USD for a medium sized trophy, most of which had small cracks in it). One of the vendors claimed to have seen me playing for the US National team.

We caught a cab ride back to the hotel (for $2 bucks), picked up the jerseys we needed for the tournament, and went over to Yacouba’s house for lunch. We sat around with the neighborhood kids and watched TV on a small set that was rolled out from inside. The first was an Anglo-French soccer news program, which I was happy about, and the second was news. Two of the younger girls sitting outside with us started talking and playing with Scott and I. One of the girls pointed at Scott and said “Che” (“man”). Then she pointed at Drew and again said, “Che”. Then she pointed at me and said “Wu so!” (“woman”), and giggled. Scott and I tried to correct her by insisting that I was, indeed, a “che” as well, but couldn’t be convinced. We then started playing a clapping game (kind of like patty cake), which turned into the girls counting on our fingers.

When it was time for lunch, Scott, Yacouba, their friend, Drew, and I, went inside and had lunch, which consisted of white rice prepared with a Mali sauce, the same variety of vegetables in yesterday’s dish, and bits of mutton. When we finished eating, we sat around and talked for a while until Sekou came back to take Drew and I to his neighborhood, well off the beaten path where non-Africans are rarely seen. After meeting Sekou’s family, it was time to start!

We were introduced to the four coaches (each representing a team from different sections of the neighborhood), Sekou and I handed out the jerseys to each team, and we were underway! I could not have asked for a better day. The weather wasn’t too hot (70s-80s with a cool breeze) and the soccer was phenomenal, contested by 8 man teams with players ranging from 10-14. Given that it was a holiday and kids were out of school, supporters were out in droves, with upwards of a couple hundred in attendance. I was invited out to the center circle by the referee for an honorary kick off, a gesture I wasn’t expecting and which really touched me.

The first match, fresh in their new kits, was between Blue and Red. The teams went at it full force, and you could tell from the coaches’ excitement that it was no friendly. The same hard challenges and bone crunching tackles we witnessed in training with the older kids yesterday were even more present and vicious today. Each player came to win. The second teams to play were even doing warm up exercises off to the side during the first match.

Blue, who were noticeably smaller than their opponents, were on the back foot from the start of the match. About midway through the first half, Blue managed to string together a few nice passes to find an open striker near the goalie box, who expertly slotted the shot in the far, bottom right corner. The section of the crowd that had come out to support that team erupted with the same enthusiasm a world cup match. I mean they went absolutely bonkers! Kids were running around screaming in joy, others invaded the pitch to embrace the scorer. I was choked up; It took all I had to prevent myself from crying in happiness. This is what I dreamed about 5 years ago. And it was unfolding in front of my eyes. Even now as I write this, I can’t help but become overwhelmed with emotion.

Eventually, the referee restored order and the game was back underway, and the score held at 1-0 until the end of the first 30 minute period. After a brief intermission, the second half kicked off. After going up 2-0, Blue found themselves at the end of a Red assault, eventually conceding. Smelling blood, Red pressed hard, but would later give up the crucial goal, going down 3-1 against the run of play. The final whistle blew to another eruption and pitch invasion surrounding the winners.

Since we didn’t receive our missing bag from the airport containing the rest of our jerseys, we had to borrow the red jerseys from the first game and give them to one of the teams in the second match. The other team received purple jerseys. Only about 10 minutes after the opening whistle, Purple sent a lob cross from just inside midfield, finding a rising striker who sent the ball past the keeper with a glancing header. Red’s coach exploded into life, pacing the sideline barking orders to his team. This was serious.

Inspired by the coach’s remarks, Red controlled the remainder of the first half, but couldn’t find their first goal, coming close on numerous occasions. One drilled low shot rattled the wooden left post, resulting in a unified “OHHH!” from around the pitch. After going down by two goals, Red eventually crossed to find an unmarked, free close range header, which grazed the top of the sagging goal. The referee whistled and pointed to the center circle, indicating a goal, giving the Red supporters a long awaited celebration. Purple went on to pull away, however, eventually taking the match by a final score line of 4-1.

Tomorrow’s semi final will be contested between the two Red teams, followed by the big final between Blue and Purple. This was an amazing culmination of the efforts and contributions put into this project by so many people. I can honestly say it’s been one of the best experiences of my life…and we still have a final and the Dissan tournament to go!

It’s time to head out for the New Year’s celebration, which we will be spending at Toumani Diabetes’ restaurant, Le Diplomat. Insha’allah, we’ll be treated to a performance by the man himself. Only two more hours until the New Year, and this one couldn’t have ended better. I can’t wait to see what 2012 has to offer. Until I get some time to upload pictures to this blog, check the ones out from today at facebook.com/littleeaglesfootball.

I hope everyone back home has a wonderful and safe New Year’s eve! Blessings from Mali!
-R