DAKAR, Senegal (AP) – Senegal erupted in jubilation Sunday night as the West African country’s soccer team defeated Morocco 1-0. To win the African Cup of Nations.
In the capital Dakar, fireworks lit up the sky, horns blared and people of all ages shouted and danced wearing the national colors and holding the Senegalese flag.
“Our team has proven that we are the best in Africa,” said Papu Ndiay, a young man waving a Senegalese flag in the working-class Parcelles Assinese neighborhood on Dakar’s outskirts. “It’s a well-deserved victory. The Lions fought like true Lions,” he added, referring to the national team’s nickname, Teranga Lions.
Minutes earlier, Senegal had defeated Morocco in dramatic fashion in the Africa Cup of Nations championship match. The heated final match was held in Rabat, the capital of Morocco.
In a chaotic match, with fans attempting to invade the field and Senegalese players walking off the field in protest of a penalty decision near the end of second-half stoppage time, Teranga Lions defeated hosts Morocco 1-0 with a goal from Pape Gueye in extra time.
“The Senegal team showed its strength and showed why it is the best team in Africa,” said Mamadou Alpha Diallo, a 26-year-old education student. “The team showed maturity in a difficult game. The referee played with our emotions. We were stressed and tired, but Senegal persevered.”
It was Senegal’s second African Cup victory. Teranga Lions won the 2021 tournament after a penalty shootout against Egypt.
Senegal’s President Bashir Diomai Fay praised the soccer team on public television.
“The joy is indescribable,” he said. “We went through a lot of emotions. We saw the guys on the field. The Patriots were fighting for our honor. This is a victory for the Lions, most of all for the coaching staff, and for the Senegalese people as a whole.”
Fay promised financial rewards to the national team and announced that Monday would be a public holiday so that all Senegalese could celebrate.
As he spoke, hundreds of young people gathered on the grounds of Dakar’s Cheikh Anta Diop University, eager to get in the celebratory mood.
“I can’t sleep tonight. We’re going to celebrate until the early hours of the morning. No Senegalese will sleep tonight,” said Sidi Shira, a doctoral student. “With the World Cup approaching, the world needs to know that Senegal are no longer a small team, but a team to be feared.”
