Man, the difficult life without the CAN
In the seventh and final episode of our series on the host cities of the football CAN in Côte d’Ivoire, we go to Man, a city in the west of the country. Unlike other cities previously visited, Man was not selected to host matches during the competition. This decision is all the more frustrating for the city’s residents because the former president of the CAN Organizing Committee is from the region.
Nicknamed “the city of 18 mountains”, Man is usually a popular tourist spot for its spectacular landscapes. But since the announcement of the CAN host cities, Man finds himself on the sidelines of the event and is idling. The infrastructure that had been built in anticipation of the competition remains unused, giving the impression of waste and neglect.
The people of Man feel a deep sense of frustration and injustice. They feel left out, as if their city has not been considered despite the efforts made to prepare to host matches. Some see this as a lack of recognition from the governing bodies of Ivorian football.
The situation is all the more difficult for the city’s traders and tourist services. The hopes of economic benefits and visibility linked to the organization of the CAN have vanished. Businesses remain empty, hotels are unbooked and tourist guides find themselves out of work.
Despite this feeling of abandonment, the inhabitants of Man maintain their pride and their love for their city. They continue to keep their traditions and culture alive, welcoming visitors with warmth and friendliness. But it is difficult to ignore the disappointment caused by the absence of the CAN.
In conclusion, Man, the city of 18 mountains, finds itself in a paradoxical situation. While it could have been one of the host cities of the football CAN in Côte d’Ivoire, it must face a very different reality. However, despite this disappointment, the residents maintain their pride and their determination to keep their city alive, in the hope that Man will not be forgotten during the next major sporting events.