Stade Modibo Kéïta

The stadium is known as Stade Modibo Kéïta, though it has lived through other names. It opened in 1967 with help from the Soviet Union, and the name change came later, though the exact year is touch and go between the nineties and the early eighties. The pitch is natural grass, and it has been described as quite uneven, which adds to the character of the matches played here. The floodlights rise high above the stands, a tall white lattice against the blue sky, and they are the only thing that stands out against the city skyline.

The atmosphere inside is different from anywhere else. The fans do not travel to make up the numbers; they fill the seats for every game. The local clubs, AS Real Bamako and AS Korofina, have played their history out on this ground. The Mali national team has also used it, and the stadium hosted matches during the 2002 African Cup of Nations. The capacity is listed at 35,000, but the numbers fluctuate depending on the importance of the fixture.

It is not a modern arena with luxury boxes and glass facades. It is a place of concrete and grass, where the history between the teams adds an edge to every game. The renovations have come and gone, with the pitch and stands getting attention in recent years, but the essence of the place remains the same. The floodlight tower is a constant, and the view from the hill is something that stays with you long after the final whistle.