On Tuesday, 6th January 2026, I traveled 640 KM to and from Rabat to Marrakech where the AFCON reigning champions Cote D’Ivoire eliminated Burkina Faso 3-0 at the magnificent Grand Stadium of Marrakech before 63,894 passionate spectators
This is a match I yearned to watch during the round of 16 stage which concluded with the eight countries for the quarter finals confirmed.
My journey started at 5:00 AM (7:00 AM East African Time) from Hay El Fath where I stay in Rabat city .
I picked a train at Gare Hay Riad with a stop at Ain Sebaa before the connecting train to Marrakech city, South of Rabat for 205 Morocco Dirhams (about 80,000 Uganda Shillings) fare.
The trip lasted close to four hours as I maneuvered through quite a number of interesting places as Settat, Benguerir, El-Jadida, Essaouira, Ouzoud, all through the undulating landscape, among others.
In Marrakech, the train was on time, arriving at 1:38 PM (4:38 PM East African Time).
It had just rained and the super cold breeze hit my face moments after disembarking from the Train.
The next step was departing the Train station for the stadium, located about 20 Kilometres away.
I negotiated In-drive Taxis but the prices were way too high than I had anticipated.
Therefore, I ended up bargaining with a motorcyclist, a one Hamza for about 70 Morocco Dirhams (about 27,300 Uganda Shillings).
Within less than 20 minutes, I had reached the stadium which I accessed through the media entry point.
It was less than five hours to kick-off. I had a lot of time on me. I linked up the media personnel in charge at the stadium, Ahmed Hussein from Uganda.
Later, I linked up with my workmate at Kawowo Sports, John Batanudde who had used another train.
I rested in the media center as I followed keen proceedings from the other round of 16 duel between Democratic Republic of Congo (Congo) and Algeria.
An hour to the Cote D’Ivoire versus Burkina Faso game, I walked to the Media Tribune to follow the team’s limbering session before the official pre-match customs and kick off eventually at 8 PM (10 PM East African Time).
Cote D’Ivoire triumphed comprehensively 3-0 to march to the quarter finals where they will face Egypt.
By mid-night, with other journalists in the media shuttle, we left the stadium for the Train station that was to depart at half past mid-night (2:30 AM East African Time)
We missed a train by a whisker and it meant spending the night at the station in a bid to be on time for the early morning train scheduled for 4:30 AM (6:30 AM East African Time).
It was time to refresh with a snack and a cold coke as I finished a couple of writings for Kawowo Sports.
The early morning train was right on time as the passengers boarded 30 minutes before set off.
After four hours, we reached Rabat Ville and then for Hay El Fath on Wednesday morning ready for rest on one of the two tournament recess days coming to the quarter finals this Friday, 9th January 2026.
What a journey!
