Jubilant Senegalese football fans poured into the streets of Dakar late Sunday night and into the early hours of Monday after the national team secured a dramatic Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) victory, sealing their second continental title in the last three editions.
Fireworks lit up the sky as supporters danced, sang and occupied major traffic roundabouts across the seaside capital following Senegal’s 1–0 win over hosts Morocco in extra time.
In recognition of the historic triumph, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye declared Monday a national holiday. The announcement came shortly after the final whistle triggered spontaneous celebrations nationwide.
The tightly contested final was marked by controversy and high drama. Senegal head coach Pape Bouna Thiaw ordered his players off the pitch late in the game after Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded Morocco a penalty, sparking a 14-minute stoppage.
Calm was eventually restored when Senegal captain Sadio Mane persuaded his teammates to return to the field. Moments later, goalkeeper Edouard Mendy produced a decisive save, stopping Morocco star Brahim Diaz’s Panenka-style penalty attempt.
Senegal capitalised on the momentum, with midfielder Pape Gueye scoring the winning goal in the 94th minute to seal the title.
Morocco coach Walid Regragui criticised Thiaw’s actions after the match, describing them as “not classy.” However, many fans in Dakar defended the coach, insisting his protest was justified.
“This Africa Cup was full of cheating. They cheated until the end of the match but we were going to win,” said Mohamed Diop as crowds prayed and blew vuvuzelas near the African Renaissance Monument.
“Stealing and creating a scenario as if it were a Netflix series is crazy. An Africa Cup is not a Netflix series.”
Other supporters praised Sadio Mane for his leadership and composure, especially as the star forward has announced this would be his final AFCON tournament.
“There was too much cheating, but when Sadio Mane did not accept that our players leave the competition, that really helped Senegal,” said Idrissa Diallo.
“We would have had problems if we had left.”
The controversy spilled into the post-match proceedings as Thiaw’s press conference was abruptly cancelled after Moroccan journalists jeered him upon entering the room, while Senegalese reporters responded with applause.
Back home, President Faye took to X to commend the team’s achievement, describing the victory as a fulfilment of a national mission.
“By presenting them with the national flag, we entrusted them with a mission,” the president wrote.
“They accomplished it brilliantly, at the end of an epic match, raising the colours of Senegal to the pinnacle of African football.”
