Dakar — With a smartphone in hand, young athletes in Dakar are honing their skills daily, not on a traditional pitch, but on digital football arenas. eFootball, the mobile football game developed by Japanese studio Konami, has exploded in popularity across West Africa, and Senegal stands at the forefront of this virtual revolution.
Football is a national obsession in Senegal, but the accessibility of eFootball has opened doors for countless enthusiasts. Unlike console-based games, this mobile version requires nothing more than a basic smartphone—making it a game-changer for budding players. Organized teams are now vying for professional recognition, and the dream of competing in the eFootball World Cup in Riyad is driving many to push their limits.
From passion to profession: Senegal’s eFootball ambitions
Ibrahima Diop, widely known as Ibzo, is the national team coach leading Senegal’s charge in this digital arena. Under his guidance, the team achieved its first-ever top spot in the African rankings in March, marking a historic milestone. « This is about having fun, but also about competition,» says 17-year-old Mohamed, nicknamed Medzo, who traveled from Saint-Louis to compete in the qualifiers. You think to yourself: I won’t let you beat me. It’s easy to play, and you don’t need an expensive phone—just a decent one with 3GB RAM is enough.»
Medzo dreams of turning his passion into a career, a sentiment shared by many. Pape Mouhamed Saloum Sow, a law student, echoes this ambition: « I want to take the next step and play at the highest level. eFootball is more than a game now—we’ve become a family.»
Challenges on the virtual pitch
Despite the enthusiasm, Senegal’s players face hurdles. Platforms like TikTok remain inaccessible for monetization in Africa, limiting opportunities for content creators. However, the biggest obstacle is connectivity. Ibzo highlights the issue: « We suffer from server latency. There’s only one server for Africa, located in South Africa, and the delay is brutal—passes can take minutes to register.»
To counter these challenges, Ibzo has launched his own club and is leveraging the Fédération Sénégalaise des Sports Électroniques (Fesseda), established two years ago. El Hadji Mansour Jacques Sagna, the federation’s president, reveals ambitious plans: « We’ve signed an agreement to introduce electronic navétanes (e-navétanes), local competitions that will engage thousands of young people across the country.»
The federation is also preparing to open a performance analysis center at the Stade Léopold Sédar Senghor, aimed at professionalizing the sport and supporting athletes in refining their skills.
Building a digital future for Senegalese football
Senegal’s eFootball scene is more than a trend—it’s a movement. As young players train rigorously for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, they’re not just chasing virtual goals; they’re paving the way for a new era of sports in the country. With strategic investments and growing organization, the dream of seeing Senegalese talent shine on the global eFootball stage is becoming increasingly tangible.
