African fans divided between Barcelona & Manchester United, but ready to party the night away

Barca for victory – Lagos fans of Spanish club Barcelona parade through the streets of Lagos in anticipation of victory before

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Africa will not be left out as the attention of the world turns to Barcelona and Manchester United on Saturday, as they challenge for the Uefa Champions League title at Wembley Stadium.

Africans do not lack a strong passion for quality football. From Cairo to Cape Town, Lagos to Luanda, Dakar to Djibouti, young and old will be glued to their TV screens at home or bunched together in ubiquitous screening halls as the giants of world football chase the biggest title on the club circuit.

The vibrant city of Lagos, the continent’s largest, is the place to be on Saturday. Going by the experience of Nigeria’s Lolade Adewuyi, fans of the two clubs are going to mass together in camaraderie as the final game approaches.

The unique culture of celebrating the final match caught the media’s attention in 2008 when English giants Chelsea and United squared off. Fans of the London club in the Ebutte Meta suburb of the metropolis prepared a huge feast in anticipation of victory.

The area’s fan club distributed jerseys and tethered a well-fed bull dressed in blue to be slaughtered for a grand buffet afterwards. A dark cloud enveloped the neighbourhood as Chelsea lost, while nobody really knows what happened to the doomed animal.

The year after, Barcelona took on the defending champions in the final and it was another form of celebration on the streets of Surulere, a hub of middle and working class people. In order to alert the city to their presence – because many Nigerians support English clubs – the fans of the Catalan club hired a truck in which a beat box DJ danced from Ojuelegba to the National Stadium. In Ojota, a Cristiano Ronaldo jersey was hung like a scarecrow in the middle of the road to mark United territory. Barcelona won that title.

In 2010, Inter fans took over Lagos with their striped black and blue jerseys as they stomped to victory over Bayern Munich. Celebrations went on all night long as fans toasted to the success of the Italians.

African fans on the streets | Supporters parade with Barcelona banner

This year’s final match has brought back the rivalry between Barca and the Red Devils. Lagos fans are already gearing up for Saturday’s clash of the titans and all over Africa, households will be divided in support of the two teams.

Goal.com Africa asked fans on the continent which team they want to win the title this weekend.

Olumide Onibaba, an Arsenal supporter in Lagos, hopes for a United win in the final, not minding the rivalry between the Gunners and the Red Devils: “I want the trophy to return to England,” he said.

Torn between his two loves, Lekan Akadiri, a Lagos-based entrepreneur, has decided to stick with the Catalans. “I’m a Barca fan first and foremost, but my favourite English club is [Manchester] United. On Saturday I will be rooting for Barcelona,” he said.

Eve Kerubo, a Manchester United supporter in Nairobi, Kenya, is rooting for the Red Devils to romp to victory because “United have done so well this season despite not playing well both in the Premier League and the Champions League.

“They have beaten teams with ease and even though Barcelona seen as the best team in the world currently, United will surprise them on Saturday by turning Wembley to a Theatre of Surprises.”

On the other hand, Arsenal supporter Mark Mutai is adamant that he has chosen the winner in the clash between the Old Trafford outfit and Barcelona, despite his disdain for both sides.

He said: “I hate Man U because they are our greatest rivals in the Premier League, and I equally don’t like Barcelona because they eliminated us this season from the Champions League unfairly. But I think Barcelona will beat United any day.”

In Accra, Festus Ashong is convinced the Catalans are the strongest side and will lift the trophy this weeked. “It’s a done deal for Barca,” the 26-year-old sports kit vendor said. “They currently boast the world’s best players. [Pep] Guardiola has gained enough experience to beat veteran [Sir Alex] Ferguson. I’m certain the trophy is leaving Wembley straight to Barcelona.”

Board announcing 2009 Champions League final

However, Agnes Boateng, a passionate United follower is rooting for the Red Devils among her peers. Although she conceded Barcelona are the most experienced in terms of players, the Computer Science student opined that the Old Trafford troops are winning the game from the bench.

“We’ve got the most experienced manager who has been there on several occasions so it will be convenient for me to believe Manchester will come up tops. It’s now time for the Devils to overpower the ‘saints’,” the 23-year-old stated.

Michel Koffi, a 42-year-old computer scientist from Ivory Coast feels Manchester United will stun many pundits who have been rooting for Barcelona. “I’m just waiting to see how United will shock Barca come Saturday. The win will come via little mistakes Barca players usually make in their back half.”

On his part, Igor Ubine, a 32-year-old professional photographer from Cameroon foresees a close game. “I see a deadlock till extra time, with a penalty shootout separating both teams. I’m not really sure of what to predict. I’m neither a Barcelona nor a Manchester United supporter, but I love Barca’s play pattern more, but they don’t shoot from distance like United do, and this may be a dangerous weak point that day,” Ubine said.

 
Robert Molokwe, a fan in South Africa, believes that it is Barcelona’s title to lose. “They are simply unstoppable and I don’t see United making a dent in their title hopes. They have so many stars and the way they play is incredible. My money is on Barca.”

Johannesburg student Gary Stergie revealed his opinion on the final, siding with the Red Devils as he said, “I have been a Manchester United fan since I was a kid, and I am backing them in this final too. Barcelona are a brilliant side, but Sir Alex Ferguson knows how to beat them, and I am sure we will win at Wembley. It is almost home advantage after all.”

Another South African, staunch Barcelona supporter Tumisang Tshoagong believes the Catalans will cruise to victory on Saturday night.

“Barca will triumph despite the long distance they have to travel all the way to England. They have done it to Real Madrid, their toughest opponent currently. What will stop them from doing it against an English team? This is the champions league. Even in my PlayStation game FIFA 11, Manchester United have never beaten me. Viva Barca.”

Which team will you be supporting on Saturday? Tell us your opinion and predict the winner.