Senegal are African champions for the first time after losing two finals.
Dakar was filled with happiness at the last whistle as Sadio Mane’s Senegal beat Mohamed Salah’s Egypt for their very first Africa Cup of Nations crown.
“African champions. What a game! What a team! You did it. Beautiful moment of football, beautiful moment of communion and national pride. Congratulations to our heroes,” Senegalese President Macky Sall tweeted after the Lions’ success Sunday night.
Sall pronounced Monday a public holiday to commend the “splendid triumph”.
In the stands, Senegal fans continue to sing and dance, hoping for a late goal. But Egypt fans are very quiet, happy to wait for penalties.
A total of seven shots on target (Senegal 5, Egypt 2) but none made it past the keepers. Senegal missed a penalty and fired several free-kicks over the bar.
The wait has finally ended
Dakar exploded when Liverpool star Mane scored the conclusive penalty to give Senegal the success in a shoot-out (4-2) after the last completed goalless toward the finish of additional time.
“What a relief for Aliou Cisse, the most criticised coach in the world, according to Mane, standing right in front of the celebrating Senegalese fans. Clad in the Senegalese colours, the emotional coach is taking in all the adoration and love,”
Many supporters in Senegal shirts ran to Independence Square, close to the official castle in the core of Dakar, to celebrate.
The square vibrated to the sound of vehicle horns,whistles and fireworks.
A festive atmosphere spread across the capital, with national flags hung from buildings, on vehicles and sidewalks.
At the massive African Renaissance Monument which towers above the capital from a hill overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, dozens of fans hugged each other amid bonfires after the penalty shoot-out.
