Time check 9:00 PM (11:00 PM East African Time), a notification pops up on my Samsung S-21 gadget as I was on my bed preparing to sleep after the day’s work at the Hay El Fath Apartment in Rabat city, Morocco.
Straight away, I rush to check on phone and it is an email from CAF organizing committee confirming the approval of my request to get the match day ticket for the Cote D’Ivoire versus Burkina Faso round of 16 contest at the 2025 AFCON championship in Marrakech.
Marrakech is about 320 kilometres south of Rabat. Immediately, I start contemplating how I will travel for this must-watch duel.
Bus, air or train are the options on my menu vis-à-vis the cost implication. I settle for the train option that sets off from Gare Hay Riad, just a stone throw from my residence in Rabat.
I am an early morning riser often awake than the dawn twilight and the rooster crow combined.
By 5 AM (7 AM East African Time), I was already up and finished up a couple of my routine writings on Kawowo Sports website.
After a quick time in the showers, I am ready for the road by 6 AM local time (It is still dark by the way).
With brevity, I walk to the train station, I book my fare 205 Morocco Dirhams (about 88,000 Uganda Shillings).
The Rabat Riad train has a stop at Ain Sebaa before I get a connecting train to Marakech in a journey that lasts more than three hours due to the numerous stops.
Nontheless, it is an interesting journey where I get to appreciate the beauty of Morocco; in the Southern part with interesting places as Settat, Benguerir,El Jadida, Essaouira, Ouzoud, all through the undulating landscape, among others.
Along the way, I keep reflecting about Oracle NetSuite marketing guru Suzy Strutner.
Strutner has one of the best quotations I love about traveling, especially when you are alone.
“Solo travel not only pushes you out of your comfort zone, it also pushes you out of the zone of others’ expectations” she wrote.
The train arrives Marakech at 1:38 PM (4:38 PM East African Time). Surprisingly, I do not feel the hunger despite having skipped breakfast too.
All I am yearning for is the opportunity to reach to the 41,000 seater Marrakech stadium, the venue for the last round of 16 duel between the reigning AFCON champions Cote D’Ivoire and Burkina Faso.
I anticipate a physical mother of all battles with a quarter final slot at stake. I want to physically watch Manchester United’s star boy Amad Diallo on how he orchestrates the flanks with his lovely left foot.
Most especially, how Amad reacts barely hours after the sacking of his former head coach at the club.
The match aside, I am sure of spending a night in Marrakech since it will be a late-night show and definitely looking forward a bright morning in the city.
I know I will dream, not sure about what. But like Freya Stark stated; “To awaken quite alone in a strange town is one of the most pleasant sensations in the world”, I look forward to a pleasant treatment.
Now, I am in Marrakech city, the Red City of Morocco. This city offers visitors a unique blend of history, vibrant culture and wonder experiences including the motorcycle public means (boda-boda’s) that I had not seen anywhere since my arrival in Morocco.
Like elsewhere in Morocco, it is extremely cold but I am ready to soldier on with my heavy clothing.
Can not wait for Cote D’Ivoire against Burkina Faso grueling action.