Massive reception at home for Senegal, champions of the African Cup

A human tide received this Monday in the streets of the capital Dakar to the senegal national football team, champion on Sunday for the first time in its history of the Africa Cup of Nations (DOG).

Hundreds of thousands of people were distributed in the arteries of the city and in the vicinity of the Leopold Sedar-Sengor airport, where the new champions of Africa landed, coming from Cameroon, at the end of the afternoon and from where a triumphal walk through the city, heading for the presidential palace.

In the streets of dakar chants, car horn noises and celebrations were heard. A much of the population wore the national colors.

East Monday was declared a holiday by President Macky Sall so that Senegalese fans could show their national pride in the streets.

The Senegalese head of state went personally to welcome the football team, after having canceled an official visit to Comoros.

“They have reached the roof of Africa for their fighting spirit, for their talent, for their commitment, and for that they make us feel proud”, said the president, who confirmed that the players will be decorated this Tuesday at the Presidential Palace, also located in Dakar.

“Morning they will receive a reward to the height of this victory”, added the president.

“There are times when (political) problems are left to talk about the common cause of the countrySal said.

Senegal jumped for joy on Sunday when the star Sadio Mané scored the final penalty in the shootout, so that your selection was imposed on Egypt of Mohamed Salah in the final.

In the midst of the festivities, Mamadou Bocoum, a 24-year-old student, did not hesitate to state that this sporting success “is going to change life” in the country.

After a few difficult months, of economic crisis, health restrictions and political turmoil, this victory was a “relief”, especially for a young population, half of which are under twenty years old, he recalled.

Meanwhile, the local television stations broadcast live images of massive gatherings of fans on the roads and streets to accompany your selection.

Senegal had lost the two CAN finals they had previously played in, in 2002 and 2019. On his third opportunity he won the long-awaited first continental title for the Leones de Teranga. (D)