“The yellow dream” : Géraud Viwami's crazy bet already in bookstores

“The yellow dream”, Géraud Viwami's very first literary baby is out. The book is presented to the public on Sunday 18 June 2023 at the Éya Community Center in Akpakpa. It was in the presence of Beninese internationals Steve Mounié and Saturnin Allagbé. The Yellow Dream retraces the epic of the Squirrels, now Cheetahs, in Egypt during the African Cup of Nations 2023.

We can also call this work the bet of a passionate madman. Yes because it was the result of a totally crazy challenge between the author and his brother. The sports journalist, but above all, big fan of the national team of Benin went to Egypt under the taunts of his brother who did not sell one under the Cheetahs, Squirrels back then, appearing in a group that included Ghana and Cameroon, former winners and Guinea Bissau. But Géraud Viwami, believing in the chances of the National Team, promised to release a book if the selection managed to create the feat.. He's the one who won. For the first time in four appearances in the CAN finals, Benin advance to quarter-finals after eliminating Morocco, in the round of 16. His quarter-final scorer is none other than Senegal (victorious 1-0) publishing finalist 2019.

In the 152 pages of the book, prefaced by Franck Simon, Journalist at France Football and consultant on RFI, the author book relates almost point by point, the adventures that marked the participation of the Benin national team until the quarter-finals of the African Cup of Nations Egypt 2019.

Anecdotes to hallway noise related to bonuses, passing through the crazy atmospheres in which players have bathed, leaders and supporters after qualifying against Morocco, “The yellow dream” is a summary of a beautiful adventure written with two other colors, green and red. You will also find the biographies of 23 Squirrels and that of the coach, Michel Dussuyer.

About the author

Football enthusiast, Géraud Viwami is a Beninese sports journalist who began his career at L’Autre Quotidien in 2009. Today, editor-in-chief of the online media Bjfoot.com, he is dedicated to local football by shedding light on the performance of players. Long consultant of Océan Fm, a Radio of the Le Matinal press group but also on the national television of Benin. A l’international, Géraud Viwami also writes for several national magazines, sub-regional and international such as Sud Sport.

Arnaud ACAKPO (Coll)