Nigerian singer Yemi Alade stole the spotlight as she delivered a captivating performance at the opening ceremony of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), News About Nigeria reports.
The renowned artiste sang the official theme song for the tournament, leaving fans and spectators in awe.
Yemi Alade expressed her excitement and gratitude for the opportunity, describing it as a ‘dream come true’.
In a tweet on her social media account, she shared the journey of her desire to perform at football ceremonies since 2016.
The singer acknowledged the power of prayer and manifestation in achieving her heart’s desires.
“I cannot buttress the importance of prayer and speaking into existence your heart desires.
“Since 2016, I have desired to perform at the stadium for football ceremonies surrounded by 100’s of dancers and millions of people.
“A lot of calls came in almost every year when football championship preparations were made, but none was favourable.
“I never said this, but at some point I started feeling like my team was chasing them away but something told me to let them do their job.
“7 years after, I’m performing at AFCON. It’s indeed an honour and a dream come true. It’s just the beginning! God bless my team,” she tweeted.
The opening ceremony took place at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan, which is also the venue for the opening match between the Les Elephants of Ivory Coast and Guinea Bissau.
The event drew a massive crowd, causing heavy traffic in the city of Abidjan.
Despite the traffic challenges, Ivorians showed their excitement and support for the tournament. Some were spotted dancing and drumming a few kilometers away from the stadium, providing entertainment for those stuck in traffic.
The opening match between Ivory Coast and Guinea Bissau marked the beginning of the highly anticipated AFCON tournament, bringing together football enthusiasts from across the continent.
