Senegal on Monday eagerly awaited the return of its football heroes, with streets across the country adorned in banners and flags, following the Lions’ thrilling Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) victory over hosts Morocco. The government granted a national holiday to allow citizens to join in the celebrations.
The capital, Dakar, along with its suburbs and other cities, came alive with vuvuzelas, honking, fireworks, and dancing as hundreds of thousands of fans took to the streets to honour the team’s achievement.
Senegal secured the title on Sunday after Pape Gueye’s extra-time goal gave them a 1-0 win in a dramatic final. The match was marked by tension and controversy, culminating in the champions briefly leaving the pitch late in the game.
Local newspapers captured the euphoria of the moment. Le Soleil ran a single-word headline: “Heroic!”, while L’Observateur described the triumph as “Unforgettable,” calling the final a “crazy scenario” that took the Lions from “hell to paradise.”
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The win marks Senegal’s second AFCON title, following their 2022 victory over Egypt in Cameroon, and their third final appearance in just four editions of the tournament.
The Lions are expected to return to Dakar on Monday, with the country preparing to welcome them home. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye is anticipated to host the players at the presidential palace in the coming days, praising them as “patriots” and hailing the victory as a triumph for all Senegalese people.
The final had been played under tense circumstances following controversy over security concerns for the Senegalese players upon their arrival in Rabat, with observers describing the win as “a moral victory, a victory of collective intelligence over the brutality of circumstances and the pressure of vested interests,” according to L’Observateur.
