Senegal on Monday declared a national holiday to celebrate winning its first ever Africa Cup of Nations.
Celebrations erupted in the capital, Dakar, after Liverpool’s Sadio Mane sealed victory over Egypt on penalties.
“When the win came, it was just indescribable. People were jumping on their feet, crying, hugging each other,” a BBC reporter in Dakar said.
A triumphal reception is expected when the victorious team returns home from Cameroon later on Monday.
Tens of thousands of jubilant fans took to the streets of Dakar late into the night on Sunday, waving national flags, dancing and firing fireworks into the air.
“We waited a long time. [The cup] is finally here. We really needed it,” ecstatic fan Modou Ba, 25, told the AFP news agency.
There were also scenes of jubilation in the French capital, Paris, home to a large Senegalese community. Thousands of celebrating supporters gathered at the Arc du Triomphe.
The winning penalty was scored by captain Sadio Mane, who shared this photo of him in bed with the trophy, wearing a winners’ medal.
Senegalese President Macky Sall cut short a foreign tour to hold an official reception for the African champions on Tuesday.
In a tweet, he congratulated the team, saying: “What a game! What a team! You did it. Beautiful moment of football, beautiful moment of communion and national pride. Congratulations to our heroes.”
Senegal were twice runners up, in 2019 and 2002, and were favourites to win the tournament this year.
Sadio Mane netted the winning spot-kick as Senegal beat Egypt 4-2 on penalties to clinch their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations, after the final ended goalless following extra time.
The Liverpool forward had earlier seen a seventh-minute penalty saved by Pharaohs keeper Gabaski.
Chelsea’s Edouard Mendy denied Mohanad Lasheen to give Mane the chance to win it in Yaounde’s Olembe Stadium.
“It just shows that if you work hard, if you persevere, you will get what you want,” Senegal coach Aliou Cisse said.
“I am very emotional because the people of Senegal have wanted this trophy for 60 years.”
