OMG! 6 seconds with the Uefa Champions League trophy

I can reveal I was millimetres away from touching the trophy long before the Cityzens or Nerazzuri eventually do it after the final.

I am in Istanbul courtesy of Turkish Airlines, the official Champions League Global sponsor and I spent exactly six seconds next to the trophy at the Champions festival at the Yenikapi Park in Istanbul, almost 30km away from the Ataturk stadium, venue for the titanic clash. 

Inter have won it thrice while City are yet to taste European glory.

I must admit I was tempted to touch it but reason and self-discipline prevailed. There was also that issue of the menacingly looking officials who were keenly monitoring each and every person privileged enough to take a snap with Europe’s most prized club trophy.

I was impressed by the level of order on display as fans waited patiently to capture that special moment next to the 74cm and 7.5kg silverware. I waited approximately 35 minutes and within the blink of an eye it was done. 

The organisers also had a manual counter that was tallying the number of fans sharing a moment with the trophy. It stood at 780 by the time I left the raised platform that hosted the artefact.

Two Kenyan siblings with South Sudanese roots were part of the hundreds who turned up. Deng Deng Akol Wek and Akol Deng Akol Wek relished their moment with the trophy and as passionate City supporters they are confident their season treble is within reach. The two are also musicians.

“Seeing the trophy I couldn’t believe it, being a Manchester city fan we always wanted it, but being able to see it live, it’s beside me is unreal,“ Akol, a second year electrical engineering student told me.

Deng, who is also in second year at Isik university studying computer engineering says he was overly excited to see the trophy.

"Nimeona hii trophy lakini sijaamini ( I saw the trophy and I couldn’t believe it).”

The two are also musicians and prefer being referred to by their stage names.

I also met Briton Adam Fogo an ardent Manchester City fan who travelled from the United Kingdom with his father to watch the final. The two attended the FA Cup Manchester derby a week ago and he was confident City’s form will be Milan’s undoing.

“We are season ticket holders at the Etihad. We are there week-in week-out. We were at the FA Cup final watching City vs United. We absolutely battered United in Wembley, You couldn’t hear anything from United. We are here in Istanbul. We leave on Monday after the final. This is history in the making,“ said Fogo. 

The Champions festival begun on Thursday to enhance the Champions League experience for local and travelling fans. The trophy, which has been at the Yenikapi Park for three days, will be transported under heavy guard Saturday afternoon to the Ataturk Olympic stadium where City or Inter will lift it.