It was more than a football night

The culture of soccer has planted itself firmly on the ground in Rwanda, as the numbers of soccer fans increase dramatically. It is thus worth noting that people who own bars that show football games, are investing well financially, because people have been filling up more than usual, particularly during game days.Enthusiastic soccer fans at Le Sanitas Hotel in Kicukiro District eagerly waited for the match between Chelsea FC and Barcelona FC, which started at 8:45pm –Wednesday night. By the time the match began, the venue was already packed – and so was the case in most bars in Kigali. But there was much more to the night than just football. Even before the match started, some people were already drunk or should I say in high spirits, and the highlight of the night started when the match kicked off. The game ended with Chelsea beating Barcelona 1-0. Didier Drogba’s goal in the first-half’s added time separated the sides as Alexis Sánchez and Pedro Rodríguez hit the woodwork for the visitors.“Today is a good day for sales, as many people have turned up. On nights with football, we almost quadruple our daily sales. We deploy all the waiters and waitresses because the demand for service is high,” said one bartender at Le Sanitas Hotel. “It’s really a good night for us. Maybe it was the Chelsea excitement or the Barcelona anger but most people’s glasses just didn’t get empty,” added the bartender.Natasha Kirabo said that soccer was not a preserve for only men and that the fun was just not worth trading for bed. “Well, I am not that much of a football fan, as a matter of fact I don’t even know the players in these teams playing – but this is the night I get to see most of my friends out on a working day so had to come along. I really love such nights.” Although this moment is usually designated for football in most bars, non-soccer lovers too, enjoy their moments because of the excitement and debate among the fans.However, not everyone wants to watch these games from a public place – as Tyga Ndoli confesses he would rather stay home and enjoy it quietly, without noise and the occasional chaos.As the match ended, it seemed like the fun was just beginning. If someone were not taking count of days – one would have mistaken the day for a weekend.

Leisure

It was more than a football night