Senegal players with the Senegal president
Senegal’s Africa Cup of Nations-winning national football team returned to Dakar late Monday to a hero’s welcome, capping a historic continental campaign that ended with the country lifting the trophy for the second time.
President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who was at the airport to receive the players, praised the team’s discipline, character, and determination throughout the tournament, describing their victory as a source of national pride.
“During the entire competition, while watching them play, we felt that they had this mission in mind, and that they had it in their hearts to bring back this cup and to make the Senegalese people proud. They did it heroically, they played beautiful football, they were incredibly fair, and they were exemplary both on and off the field. We can only be proud of them,” the president said.
Senegal sealed the title with a 1-0 victory over host nation Morocco in a tense and chaotic final on Saturday. The match was briefly disrupted when some Senegalese supporters attempted to storm the pitch, while controversy followed the decision by Senegal players to walk off in protest over a penalty call — a move that drew criticism from some commentators.
Despite the controversy, scenes in Dakar were dominated by celebration, with thousands of fans lining the streets to welcome the Teranga Lions, chanting, waving flags, and singing in jubilation.
“We are here to celebrate our cup, the champions of Africa, to welcome the players, the Senegalese players, our African champion Sadio Mané and the entire Senegalese team,” said fan Bamba Sene, waving a Senegalese flag. “We are happy today, we are proud to be Senegalese.”
The victory marks Senegal’s second Africa Cup of Nations title, following their first triumph in 2022, when they defeated Egypt 4-2 on penalties after a goalless final.
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