More than five years after a team of Chinese engineers first set foot in Chad, the gleaming Marshal Idriss Deby Itno Olympic Stadium, a 30,000-seat arena, now towers over Mandjafa in N'Djamena, the Central African nation's capital.

by Arison Tamfu, Arnaud Mbaigolmem

N'DJAMENA, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- It was a bright, sunlit Thursday morning in Chad, a day that promised more than just football -- it marked the dawn of a new era for the nation's sports. After years of anticipation, the gleaming Marshal Idriss Deby Itno Olympic Stadium opened its doors, offering a stunning new home for Chadian football.

More than five years after a team of Chinese engineers first set foot in the Central African nation, the 30,000-seat arena now towers over Mandjafa in N'Djamena, Chad's capital. As the country's largest stadium, it hosted its inaugural match, a World Cup qualifier between Chad and Ghana.

To celebrate this historic debut, President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno generously covered all ticket costs, filling the gleaming new stands to capacity. Hours before kick-off, crowds streamed into the futuristic venue, their excitement palpable at finally witnessing their national footballing home.

Among them was Madjiadjim Yamara, who stood in awe of the spectacle. "It's so beautiful. It's like I am dreaming," he said. "I applaud China for this gift. Now young people can unite, and our football will progress."

For Mahamat Alamine Abakar, a former coach of Chad's national team, the moment was deeply personal.

"We are hosting our first match at home. It's a dream come true," he said. "When I was a coach, I played four matches out of Chad, and it had a negative impact. Today, thanks to China, we have a stadium that other countries can use."

When the referee's whistle signaled the start, the roar from the crowd was deafening.

The Black Stars of Ghana scored at the 17th minute when captain Jordan Ayew tapped in after an excellent run and cross, but Chad fought back, and in the 89th minute, Celestin Ecua scored a dramatic equalizer. Though Chad was already eliminated from the qualifiers, the 1-1 draw felt like a victory to the jubilant home crowd.

Head coach Raoul Savoy acknowledged the occasion's significance beyond the scoreline. "With a new stadium, for a player, it adds pressure to play at home in N'Djamena," he said. "The public will come because they haven't seen Les Sao (play at home) for a long time, and they will also come out of curiosity to see the Black Stars of Ghana."

For many, the night was their first-ever football experience inside a stadium.

Taxi driver Ahmed Harouna, who never attended a match in person before, described the night as unforgettable. "Everything was strange and beautiful to me -- the structure, the noise, the football stars I had only seen on TV, everything," he said. "For many of us, this was our first time going to a stadium to watch an international match. This stadium is truly a blessing to us."

Behind the scenes, a Chinese maintenance team from Shaanxi Construction Engineering Group ensured everything from the lighting to the sound system ran smoothly.

Tang Xianfeng, who had worked on the project from design to completion, said the night was a personal milestone.

"Seeing our Chadian brothers and sisters cheering in the stands, the players running freely on the green pitch, and the ball hitting the back of the net, we felt our years of hard work had not been in vain," said Tang. "For us, this match was perfect, and the stadium's debut was truly perfect."

Chadian authorities hope the stadium will one day host the Africa Cup of Nations, elevating the country's presence on the continental stage. At its inauguration in May, the Chadian president hailed the project as a testament to the friendly relationship between Chad and China.

"This Olympic stadium is the tangible fruit of active cooperation between the Republic of Chad and the People's Republic of China. It is also the result of a partnership based on mutual interest, mutual respect, and a shared vision," he said.

Wang Xining, China's ambassador to Chad, called the stadium a symbol of enduring friendship between the two countries and expressed hope that it would help Chad shine on the international sporting stage.

"We are convinced that Chad will have a promising future. China intends to move forward hand in hand with Chad and strengthen our win-win cooperation with the international community to help Chad realize its dream and together build a brighter future," said the diplomat.

For fans like Harouna, however, the meaning was simple and immediate. "Thursday will be remembered as the day Chad's long-hoped-for stadium finally became a reality," he said.