By Kunle Solaja, Marrakech

An African proverb says that when a road is good, you tend to pass through it many times. That wisdom perhaps best explains my detour from Tangier through Casablanca back to Marrakech, even though the last Africa Cup of Nations match staged in the Red City had long been concluded, Nigeria having beaten Algeria 2–0 days earlier.

Yet Marrakech, ancient and modern in equal measure, has a way of whispering that there is still more to see, more to feel, more to understand. It is a city of contrasts that refuses to be fully grasped in a single visit.

Where Centuries Share the Same Road

In Marrakech, history and modernity coexist without apology. Horse-pulled carts still trot confidently along the same roads as sleek automobiles. In the downtown areas, a casual walk through winding alleys reveals buildings that look like relics from another age. Step inside, however, and you are often startled by a sudden transformation—contemporary interiors, refined décor and modern comforts hidden behind ancient facades.

That paradox took me back to a lesson once shared by a tour guide in the medina of Fes, itself a UNESCO World Heritage site. Many buildings there are over a century old and carefully preserved.

“Everyone looks the same,” the guide had said. “If you are rich, you don’t need to flaunt it.”

It is a philosophy that runs deep in Moroccan urban culture. What appears modest or even austere from the outside may, within, unfold like a palace.

A Garden Behind Ancient Walls

One such discovery in Marrakech was Jardin du Lotus, a charming and trendy restaurant set inside a 19th-century riad in the heart of the medina. From the outside, there is little to prepare you for what lies within.

Inside, the space opens into a lush, garden-like environment where traditional Moroccan elements blend seamlessly with modern décor. The menu offers creative, seasonal cuisine, and by about 7:30 pm—when Marrakech begins to glow under lantern light—the place transforms into a dinner-show experience. A DJ sets the rhythm, exotic dancers animate the night, and a three-course meal unfolds alongside the entertainment.

Caught in the moment, I found myself drawn from my seat, instinctively offering Nigerian dance steps to guests and performers alike. Laughter ensued, and the hall erupted, with some fellow guests from the Moroccan National Association of Media and Publishers (ANME) joining in. It was spontaneous, joyous and unforgettable—fun galore before we eventually drifted back to our hotel rooms.

I showed them a bit of Naija dance steps

A Familiar Base, A Renewed Conversation

Returning to Marrakech was no accident. A quiet persuasion inspired this second missionary journey to a city that never reveals itself all at once. Once again, my port of call was the Pestana CR7 Lifestyle Hotel, a familiar name that now feels like a trusted away base.

This time, checking in felt less like arrival and more like resuming a conversation that had been paused.

Comfort in Contrast

The hotel continues to impress with its spacious, bright and subtly romantic spaces—an intentional contrast to Marrakech’s exotic energy. Outside, the city pulses with colour, heat and history; inside, the ambience is calm, contemporary and cosmopolitan. It is a balance perfectly suited to a travelling sports journalist: stimulation outdoors, recovery indoors.

With 174 rooms and suites, the hotel feels generous without being overwhelming. Its clean-lined, modern design prioritises comfort over excess, encouraging reflection after long days shaped by fixtures, deadlines and constant movement.

Above the Red City

One of the hotel’s enduring highlights is its rooftop swimming pool. From here, Marrakech stretches out below, while the distant outline of the Atlas Mountains anchors the horizon. As evening descends and the sun softens, the view becomes almost meditative—a reminder that geography, much like football, often rewards those willing to climb higher.

Equally inviting is the massage room with its Hammam treatment, a sanctuary designed for unwinding after the physical and mental demands of navigating the Red City. It is indulgence with intent—recovery elevated to ritual.

At the Table of Two Cultures

Dining at the hotel remains an exercise in cultural fusion. Traditional Portuguese dishes are infused with Moroccan influences, creating flavours that feel both familiar and adventurous. In many ways, the cuisine mirrors Marrakech itself: an intersection of histories, cultures and tastes.

The Ronaldo Question

I could not resist asking the inevitable question: what would happen if Cristiano Ronaldo himself walked in? Would the hotel descend into frenzy?

One of the front desk officers, Hamza Hadouz, smiled knowingly. Ronaldo, he explained, hardly visits the property these days. In fact, it has been almost four years since his last appearance. The brand is everywhere, but the man himself remains an occasional ghost—felt more in spirit than in person.

Art, Motion and Memory

As I walked through the corridors, the walls told their own stories. Large-scale artworks depicting silhouettes of sporting actions line the passageways—figures frozen mid-motion, echoing speed, strength and ambition. For a sports journalist, the imagery feels almost conversational, as though the walls themselves understand the language of competition.

Passing Through Again

This second visit confirmed what the proverb suggests: good roads invite return journeys. The Pestana CR7 Lifestyle Hotel remains not just a place to stay, but a fitting chapter in a broader AFCON travel narrative—where football assignments quietly expand into cultural encounters.

Marrakech, once again, refused to be just a stopover. And the road, clearly, was good enough to travel twice.

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The drums sounded louder, and the lights shone brighter on Wednesday night, even as Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations dream came to a painful end.

At the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Social Development (PAKO Field), Dopemu, Lagos, Nigerian Breweries Plc once again brought fans together through Goldberg’s Festival of Drums and Light, reinforcing the message that support for the Nigeria Super Eagles goes beyond results.

Following the success of the first edition staged during Nigeria’s quarter-final victory over Algeria, the festival returned bigger and bolder for the much-anticipated semi-final clash against hosts Morocco at the Africa Cup of Nations. The buzz generated over the weekend signalled that Wednesday’s viewing would attract an even larger crowd, and preparations were scaled up accordingly.

Fans arrived early, instant prizes were increased, and ice-cold Goldberg Lager Beer — including Goldberg Black — flowed freely as supporters settled in for a dramatic football night.

Even before Nigeria took centre stage, the atmosphere was already building. Supporters trooped in from the first semi-final between Senegal and Egypt, with DJ Y.K setting the tone as the Teranga Lions edged past the Pharaohs by a lone goal. Once that match ended, attention quickly shifted to the main event: Nigeria versus Morocco.

Anxiety in the air as fans went through the pulsating 120 minutes of the Nigeria and Morocco match at the viewing arena provided by Goldberg Lager Beer.

The Festival of Drums and Light again delivered a vibrant blend of football, music and culture. The venue glowed in Goldberg’s signature gold as drums, chants, and familiar supporters’ songs echoed through the arena, reinforcing the brand’s Our Beat, Our Gold campaign — a celebration of how Nigerians experience football together.

Crowd pleaser, Teni, entertaining the fans during the semifinal match between Nigeria and Morocco in Lagos at the Goldberg viewing experience centre

On the pitch, the Super Eagles matched the energy with a spirited and disciplined performance. After 120 minutes of tense football, the semi-final was decided by penalties. Nigeria fell 2–4 in the shootout, with Morocco converting through Hamza Igamane, Eliesse Ben Seghir, Achraf Hakimi and Youssef El-Nesyri. Paul Onuachu and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru scored Nigeria’s spot-kicks, while Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi saw their efforts saved by goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.

The heartbreak was real, but so was the unity.

As the decisive penalty was saved, Hypeman Advantage quickly stepped in, keeping the crowd engaged and spirits high. His intervention ensured the Goldberg experience remained intact, even in defeat. Popular singer Teni later took the stage, performing after the emotionally draining extra time and penalty drama, helping to lift the mood and turn disappointment into shared reflection.

Speaking after the event, Portfolio Manager, Mainstream Lager Brands, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Laolu Babalola, said the night captured the true spirit of Nigerian football fans.

“This is exactly what Our Beat, Our Gold stands for,” Babalola said. “Football gives us joy and sometimes heartbreak, but what never changes is how fans show up. Even after a tough result, Nigerians stayed together, supported the team and shared the moment. Goldberg is proud to stand with them.”

Senior Brand Manager, Goldberg, Kunle Aroyehun, said the semi-final experience highlighted football’s deeper role in Nigerian life.

“What we witnessed here goes beyond the scoreboard,” Aroyehun noted. “Goldberg’s Festival of Drums and Light is about community, culture and connection. Even in disappointment, fans found comfort in togetherness, and that is powerful.”

For many supporters, the festival itself became a source of consolation.

“We were hurt, no doubt,” said fan Musa Abdullahi, holding a bottle of Goldberg. “But sitting here together, watching the game, drinking Goldberg and listening to music made it easier to accept. The boys tried, and we are still proud.”

The Festival of Drums and Light forms part of Goldberg’s wider Our Beat, Our Gold campaign, which has followed the Super Eagles throughout AFCON 2025 with viewing centres, cultural activations and fan experiences across Lagos and beyond. As one of the longest-standing sponsors of Nigerian football, the brand has continued to place fans at the heart of the journey.

Though the Super Eagles fell just short of the AFCON final, Goldberg reaffirmed its commitment to both team and supporters.

“Win or lose, we stand together,” Aroyehun said. “That rhythm, that belief, that community — it is gold.”

On a night of missed chances and shattered dreams, Goldberg’s drums still beat, its lights still shone, and Nigerian football fans were reminded that their passion endures, even in heartbreak.

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Nigerian billionaire industrialist and philanthropist Abdul Samad Rabiu, Chairman of BUA Group, has applauded the Super Eagles for their spirit and determination at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco and confirmed he will fulfil his pledged $500,000 reward to the team despite their semi-final exit.

Nigeria bowed out of the tournament on Wednesday night after losing 4–2 on penalties to hosts Morocco, following a goalless 120 minutes in Rabat. The defeat ended the Super Eagles’ hopes of reaching the final but did little to dampen praise for their overall campaign.

In a message to the players and officials, Rabiu commended their courage, unity and commitment, insisting that the outcome did not diminish the pride they had given Nigerians throughout the competition.

“You fought with your hearts, gave your all, and showed true courage and determination on the pitch,” Rabiu said. “Though it wasn’t meant to be this time, you have made every Nigerian proud. The spirit, passion and unity you displayed are what truly matter.”

He added that his $500,000 pledge would still be honoured as recognition of the team’s hard work, dedication and the joy they brought to the nation, urging the players to keep their heads high and draw strength from the experience.

The Super Eagles will now turn their attention to the third-place playoff against Egypt in Casablanca on Saturday, as they seek to cap a strong AFCON campaign with a bronze medal.

Nigeria’s squad arrived in Casablanca on Thursday and commenced preparations for the playoff, with coaching staff focused on lifting morale after the narrow semi-final setback and ensuring the team finishes the tournament on a positive note.

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