Amos Abuga: My 18-Hour Journey To Watch The Great Manchester United
COLUMBIA, United States – Maybe I’m dedicated! Maybe it’s the love for the game or better still the allure of seeing Manchester United play for the first time that led to an unforgettable journey from Kansas to South Carolina.
Last Wednesday, my lady and I embarked on an over 18-hour road trip, traversing six states from Midwest to the South to be part of history in Columbia, South Carolina.
The adventure began in Kansas on Wednesday July 31st around 2.30pm, we set off through Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, and North Carolina, finally arriving in Columbia.
The anticipation of seeing Manchester United, England’s most iconic football clubs, play at Williams-Brice Stadium was the driving force behind this epic journey.
On the first day, i drove for eight and a half hours, spending the night in Nashville, the music capital of the USA. The following day involved a four-hour drive to the hilly mountains of Gatlinburg, Tennessee, where two nights were spent in one of the most beautiful cabins imaginable.
On Saturday, around 11:30 a.m., the final leg of the journey to South Carolina began, a four and a half-hour drive to Williams-Brice Stadium. This venue, home to the University of South Carolina’s Gamecocks, had transformed into a Premier League ground for the first time, hosting a match between Manchester United and Liverpool. The 78,000-seater stadium was filled with fans from all over the United States, eager to witness this historic event.
The road trip itself was an experience filled with diverse landscapes, regional cuisines, and a sense of camaraderie with fellow soccer enthusiasts met along the way. Despite the grueling hours on the road, my excitement only grew as Columbia neared, driven by the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see my favorite team play live.
Upon arriving in Columbia around 5.30pm, (local time) the city was abuzz with activity. Hotels saw prices soar, and local businesses thrived with the influx of visitors. Even a torrential downpour two hours before kick-off couldn’t dampen the spirits of the fans. Lightning and thunder provided a dramatic prelude to the match, but the atmosphere inside the stadium remained electric.
A special highlight for me was the entrance gate’s proximity to the player arrival gate, allowing a close-up view of all the players as they alighted from the bus and walked past. This added an extra layer of excitement to the experience, seeing the Players up close before the match.
The match kicked off around 7.45pm, I was immersed in the thrilling atmosphere, cheering alongside thousands of other supporters. The game ended in a loss, who cares! the experience was about more than the final score.
It was about the journey, the shared passion for soccer, and the memories created along the way. It was an incredible adventure. Driving over 18 hours was challenging.
However, leaving the stadium presented a new challenge. A huge standstill of traffic meant it took over two and a half hours to get out, adding a frustrating end to an otherwise perfect day.
Undeterred, we then embarked on the journey back to Kansas, with several quick stops at Starbucks, completing the 16-hour drive—the longest I have ever done.
This journey underscores the lengths to which true fans will go to support their teams and be part of the beautiful game’s global community. Memories!!!
