A sea of national colors engulfed Dakar on Monday.
Tens of thousands of supporters flooded the capital’s streets to celebrate the latest Senegal AFCON victory. The “Teranga Lions” landed on home soil holding the continental trophy, fresh from a gritty 1-0 win over hosts Morocco.
Jubilant crowds paralyzed traffic, prioritizing national pride over the lingering controversy from the final match.
FIFA Condemns Protest During Senegal AFCON Victory
While fans celebrated, football authorities reprimanded the champions. A dispute marred the final minutes of the match against Morocco. The Senegalese squad briefly walked off the pitch in second-half stoppage time to protest a contentious penalty decision.
Although the players returned to seal the win, governing bodies reacted swiftly.
- FIFA: President Gianni Infantino called the walk-off “unacceptable” in a statement released Monday.
- CAF: The Confederation of African Football also issued a formal denouncement of the mid-game protest.
Political Leaders Greet Sadio Mané and Squad
Back in Dakar, the mood remained defiant and joyful. The team’s aircraft touched down late Monday evening.
Top government officials greeted the players directly on the tarmac. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko welcomed the squad, shaking hands with star player Sadio Mané.
Consequently, the official reception launched a massive procession. The motorcade wound through various neighborhoods, finally culminating at the iconic Corniche. Fans lined every inch of the route, cementing this triumph as a historic moment for the West African nation.
