Senegalese New Yorkers Unite for World Cup
Arnaud Mendy playing drums to celebrate one of Senegal’s goals against Belgium (photo: Gabriel Capellan for FUV News)
On a very hot Wednesday afternoon, drumming and singing echoed along 116th Street in Harlem, also known as “Le Petit Senegal.” The sounds came from Senegalese New Yorkers rooting for their team in the FIFA World Cup on July 1 in the country's match against Belgium.
Chanting in French and West African language of Wolof, Senegalese pride was felt on the block through a sea of flags and fans wearing the team’s green jerseys. Senegal has qualified for the FIFA World Cup four times, even reaching the quarterfinals in 2002.
“The atmosphere is great,” said fan Babacar Ngom. “We are all together, all for the same team. One heart, one nation, one love.” Ngom came to watch the game at the Senegalese Association of America, a nonprofit on 116th Street that serves as a gathering place for New Yorkers of Senegalese heritage.
Others at the watch party might not have been Senegalese, but came to root on the team. Kojo Attah is Ghanaian, but said he supported all African teams.
"The best place in the world during the World Cup, outside of the actual stadiums, is in New York," Attah said. “You have so many different people, so many different cultures all in one place at the same time.”
Celebrations were cut short after the team lost 3-2 to Belgium in the tournament’s knockout stage. However, the block remained an oasis of Senegalese pride, as fans filtered out of the watch party and continued to celebrate on the closed off street.
