HIBAPRESS – Abdelatif Barka
The Agadir Sunday market is no longer just a popular commercial center frequented by residents to buy their daily needs, but has transformed, during the city's hosting of matches for a number of teams participating in the African Cup of Nations, into a lively meeting place for African entertainment and a vibrant space for cultural exchange, where football chants mixed with the scent of traditional trade and the spirit of Souss hospitality.
With the selection of six African teams for the city of Agadir as a center for preparation and playing the African competition, namely the Egyptian national team, the Cameroonian national team, the South African national team, the Gabonese national team, and the Mozambique and Angolan national teams, the Sunday market has become a daily destination for dozens of fans coming from different countries, some wearing their teams' shirts, and others carrying flags, while phones do not leave their hands to document the moments of entertainment inside this space that combines trade and celebration.
Inside the alleys of the market, popular cafes have turned into informal platforms for football discussion, and open squares have turned into spontaneous theaters for African singing and dancing, where Egyptian rhythms were adjacent to Cameroonian drums, and South African songs blended with Moroccan ululations that welcomed the guests.
A fan of the Egyptian national team expressed his admiration for the atmosphere, saying: “I did not expect to find a place that combines shopping and celebration in this way, the Sunday market resembles an open museum of Moroccan life, and the people here are exceptionally friendly.”
For his part, a fan from Cameroon said while strolling through the traditional industry shops: “We feel like we are in our home, the music, laughter, and mutual respect have made us live football outside the stadium.” As for a supporter of the South African national team, he considered that the market has become an extension of the stands, adding: “The entertainment here is no less beautiful than the match itself, Agadir has succeeded in making football a cultural experience.”
In turn, a fan from Gabon confirmed that the market gave him an opportunity to discover Morocco up close: “The cultural diversity here is amazing, every corner tells a story, and every smile welcomes you without charge.” From Mozambique and Angola, a number of fans expressed their astonishment at the smooth coexistence between visitors and merchants, where one of them said: “Football has united people here, you don’t feel like a stranger, but rather a sense of belonging.”
The atmosphere of entertainment was not limited to the African masses only, but also attracted European tourists from France, Spain, and Germany, who found a unique experience in the Sunday market.
A French tourist stated: “We visited the market out of curiosity, and we found ourselves in the midst of a wonderful African-Moroccan celebration.” As for a Spanish tourist, she considered that what is happening in the market reflects the true face of Morocco, saying: “This place embodies openness and coexistence, it is an unforgettable experience.” While a German tourist said: “I have not seen a commercial space transform in this way into a global forum for cultures.”
Thus, the Sunday market has succeeded in surpassing its traditional function, to become a space for human encounter and African entertainment, and a living example of Agadir's ability to turn major sporting events into an opportunity for cultural and tourist radiance, reflecting the open spirit of Morocco and adding a new aesthetic dimension to this ancient commercial landmark.
