Senegal’s efootball stars eye world cup glory amid connectivity challenges

Here in Dakar, I witnessed the intense focus of players, phones clutched firmly in hand. They were just hours away from competing in the eFootball World Cup qualifiers, with the global tournament scheduled for November in Riyadh. Ibrahima Diop, known as Ibzo, the national team coach, meticulously delivered his final instructions. He has assembled Senegal’s top eFootball talent, a strategy that paid off in March when his squad achieved the number one ranking in Africa for the first time. This free-to-play mobile game has now eclipsed console versions in popularity. “It’s a lot of fun, for starters,” remarked Mohamed, also known as Medzo, a 17-year-old who traveled from Saint-Louis for the qualifiers. “There’s a real competitive spirit. We challenge each other, saying, ‘you won’t beat me.’ It’s easy to pick up. Plus, you don’t need an expensive phone; a basic 3GB RAM device is enough to play. Senegalese players are skilled, numerous, and incredibly dedicated.” Medzo, like law student Pape Mouhamed Saloum Sow, harbors aspirations of a professional career. Sow shared, “I want to reach the highest level. I believe eFootball has evolved beyond just a game. We started as strangers, and now we’re like a family.“

Navigating Latency: Server Challenges for Senegalese eFootballers

Despite their undeniable talent, these Senegalese players face significant hurdles. One such challenge involves TikTok, a crucial platform where they share game analyses and tips. Unlike in Europe or the United States, content monetization is not yet available in Africa, limiting their potential earnings. More critically, persistent connectivity issues put them at a disadvantage against international competitors. “Here in Senegal, we constantly battle server problems,” Ibzo revealed. “Africa currently hosts only one server, located all the way in South Africa. This creates immense latency, making gameplay incredibly frustrating. You might attempt a pass, and it feels like two minutes before the action registers on screen.“

To further develop the eSports sector, Ibzo has established his own club. This initiative is bolstered by the national electronic sports federation, Fesseda, founded two years ago. El Hadji Mansour Jacques Sagna, the president of Fesseda, explained, “We have formalized an agreement to introduce ‘electronic navétanes,’ or e-navétanes. This program will enable a vast number of young people to engage in organized competitions nationwide.” The federation also plans to launch an e-sport analysis and performance center, which will be situated at the iconic Léopold-Sédar-Senghor Stadium, aiming to support the professionalization of this rapidly growing discipline.