The New Year got off to a perfect start with the conclusion of the New Year’s Tournament in Bamako. As soon as we got up (around 11am), we gathered the gear and left for Yacouba’s, who, shortly upon our arrival, served lunch. We ate spaghetti (cut in inch long strands), prepared with tomatoes and bits of beef. (If I haven’t described how we eat before, the men sit around a communal bowl, and we each ball up chunks of the food with our right hand.) Drew and I then took a cab to Sekou’s neighborhood, where the 3^rd place game was just about ready to kick off.

I learned from Sekou that the team names were FC Inter, who, appropriately, donned Inter Milan jerseys (they were one of the red teams that lost yesterday), and FC Morino, who wore the red jerseys they received yesterday. I was a little worried about the turnout for the first match compared to yesterday, but the lower attendance numbers didn’t affect the quality and heart of the teams in the least.

There were still about 100 spectators on hand to witness Inter grab a halftime lead when, about 20 minutes into the game, they were able to capitalize on a ball that bounced around players inside the box. A striker in blue and black managed to deflect the ball in, and they fended off FC Morino through the halftime whistle.

Inter also provided the only goal in the second half, when a player nicknamed Balotelli (for his Mohawk style buzz cut) drove in a hard, low shot, which deflected off of a Morino defender and fell right in the path of an unmarked striker. Without hesitation, it was placed beyond the keeper’s reach, securing 3^rd place for Inter.

Free Kicks can be scary

By the time the first match ended, more and more people began to show up to join their family, friends, and neighbors all around the sideline. The two title contenders were warming up off to the side of the pitch. (I’m not sure if I mentioned this, but the “pitch” was a relatively flat, open area where a few different dirt streets met. Family compounds and vendors closed in the area, except where the streets branched off. Spectators sat on the sidelines, behind the goals, and a few even watched from the roofs of the surrounding buildings. Every so often, cars or motorbikes – even goats – came through the pitch, but rarely halted play. There was little hope of interrupting this match, and the players adapted to the environment to avoid getting hit.) Before the match began, the teams lined up for pictures (there was even a photographer who shows up to big events and sells pictures of the day), and I was introduced to each player by their captains as I walked down the line. This had the feel of a World Cup final, and it certainly mirrored the authenticity of one. Two linesmen were even found so that all the right calls were made in the final.

The atmosphere was electric! By the time the game was underway, there were hundreds of supporters. The prizes of notebooks, pens, pencils, and soccer socks were displayed on an end line table. Sekou even graciously donated a trophy he had won to give the champions. For two groups of 10-14 year olds, an age group who rarely gets much attention (never mind are the highlight of the holiday), this couldn’t get any bigger. I was invited out for another honorary kickoff, and the big match was finally underway!

Pagou Foot (in purple jerseys) vs. FC Madou (wearing blue)

Pagou Foot, who train at a local soccer school (a place where kids train during school vacation) got off to the better start when they were given a close range free kick. Mirroring a shot from yesterday’s semi final, the kick taker lined up a low, devastating shot to the side of the assembled wall and beating the keeper, sparking emphatic cheers from the crowd. As the scorer ran to the corner to celebrate, kids chased and grabbed on to him in excitement. Both teams defended brilliantly, but towards the end of the first half, Pagou added a second. Winning another free kick after a player was tripped while beating the defender with an impressive, successful juke on the end line to the right of the goal. A well planned and executed run from the Pagou Foot attacker gave him enough free space to rip a one-time shot into the net from the pass off the free kick. 2-0, and more cheers from the supporters of the boys in purple.

Before halftime, FC Madou managed to cut the lead in half. A blue attacker received a throw in near midfield and took a couple of touches before launching a shot, my candidate for goal of the tournament. The strike came from far out, and time slowed for me on the opposite side of the field, as the ball went like a laser directly into the top left corner with professional accuracy. The outstretched purple keeper was left helpless as the ball flew past his fingertips. The goal got me so excited that I couldn’t even operate my camera well enough to capture the celebration.

At halftime, the score line read:

Paugou Foot 2 – FC Madou 1

Dozens of kids surrounded the teams at halftime to listen in on the coaches give their orders. Soon enough, the second half was underway. Once again, Pagou came out strong, piling on pressure and finding space for numerous shots. One of these shots produced an incredible low save, but a purple striker was the first to pounce on the rebound, re-establishing a two goal lead. It was only two minutes later when another rebound save bounced around the box, eventually finding the foot of a Pagou attacker. 4-1.

Despite being down by 3 goals, Morino showed great heart to attempt the comeback. Pagou desperately defended as wave after wave of attacks came at the purple goal, many of which narrowly missed. Against the run of play, Pagou Foot secured the title with a counter, scoring their fifth. The scorer ran the length of the field, pointing at his coach, and with a giant leap, embraced him in a huge hug. Both teams left all they had on the pitch for a highly entertaining match, but there could only be one champion.

One by one, each captain came up to accept the prizes of notebooks, pens, and pencils, and each coach received a Little Eagles jersey. Then, the champions came up individually (like the Champs League or any major final) and in addition to the school supplies, were also given a pair of soccer socks (courtesy of the Cheshire High School team). When it was time for the captain, last in line, he walked up to more chants from the crowd. He accepted the trophy (which I got to present), holding it high above his head, and was bombarded by teammates and fans, who followed him, cheering, to their coach’s family compound nearby to continue the celebrations. I heard later that the team paraded around the neighborhood, singing and chanting, stopping at each house to accept gifts of food and change. What a huge day for these champions!

I’m not sure that I’ve ever experienced a more powerful, positive wave of emotion than I did during that final. Countless times, I had to fight back the tears caused from the scene unfolding before my eyes. I was so moved that I was speechless during the whole 20 minute taxi ride back to the hotel.

After resting a bit at the hotel, Drew, Scott and I met up with Sekou and went to an “American” restaurant a short walk away. I had a shredded chicken sandwich (stuffed in really delicious bread) and pineapple juice while we discussed the day. (The restaurant was inspired by the owner living part of each year in Harlem, and makes hamburgers and pizza.) It was hopping with 20 somethings who make it a regular stop on their rounds during nights out. We talked about how well everything went and how happy we were.

Inspired by Pagou Foot’s soccer school, we began talks about creating one of our own. Ours, however, would also include education and an all year round program. Essentially, we would be providing kids with a high quality education and soccer training. Big stuff. Scott also talked to me about the huge impact that this tournament had on the neighborhood - from gathering the community together, giving the neighborhood something to be proud of hosting, highlighting youth players instead of older ones, and even providing some income for the photographers and other vendors near the pitch.

What a massive day! I can’t thank everyone enough for all the help and support I’ve received on this project. Because of you, I accomplished my dream of the last 5 years today!

-R