A triumphant Senegal team returned to the nation's capital of Dakar on Monday holding the trophy the country's populace has so long craved.
After a series of near misses dating back to 1965 — including runners-up finishes in both 2002 and 2019 — the Lions of Teranga are finally able to call themselves champions of Africa after defeating Egypt in the AFCON final on Sunday.
This is what it means!
Congratulations #teamsenegalIncredible.
(Video via @FreddhyKoula)pic.twitter.com/bdJ1fgKYi9
— John Bennett (@JohnBennettBBC) February 7, 2022
The Senegal celebrations are wild pic.twitter.com/nTbdFNyAOn
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) February 6, 2022
The team's heroes — including Man of the Competition Sadio Mané and Best Goalkeeper Édouard Mendy — were given the traditional open-top bus parade through the city, but you've never seen a turnout quite like this before.
President Macky Sall declared a national holiday to celebrate the team's victory, and it looks like the whole nation accepted the invitation.
The whole country is waiting… #TeamSenegal | ITS HISTORY | It’s happiness pic.twitter.com/nZDOCcaNOl
— Football (@FootballSenegal) February 7, 2022
Senegal fans are ready to welcome the AFCON champions home at the airport pic.twitter.com/PomMMBBhvx
— B/R Football (@brfootball) February 7, 2022
Unbelievable scenes
Senegal welcome the AFCON champions(via edou_mendy/IG) pic.twitter.com/1iNfUE4o9T
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) February 7, 2022
INCRÍVEL E EMOCIONANTE! A conquista da Copa Africana de Nações representou MUITO pro povo senegalês... O futebol é sensacional! #CAN2021
Crédito: @kkoulibaly26 pic.twitter.com/6P1UlxtQHf— TNT Sports Brasil (@TNTSportsBR) February 7, 2022
Omg, Mane is an icon. Look at the scenes he caused in Senegal… pic.twitter.com/usKHbDAAuN
— Nasir New (@NasirReformed) February 7, 2022
Aliou Cisse lifts the Afcon trophy in Senegal pic.twitter.com/jHh6aGcxLf
— GOAL (@goal) February 7, 2022
Edouard Mendy and Sadio Mane are on top of the world
(IG: edou_mendy) pic.twitter.com/IYNq7LbMbk— GOAL (@goal) February 7, 2022
Celebrations weren't limited to Senegal.
Celebrations in Harlem, New York, after Senegal’s win. #AFCON2021
Congratulations ! pic.twitter.com/M1PMkXzZsk— Arao Ameny (@araoameny) February 6, 2022
