In what could be described as a night of memories united by the round leather game (football) was witnessed on Monday night as Dakar erupted in celebration as the newly‑crowned African champions landed at Blaise Diagne International Airport, where President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and a full cabinet greeted captain Kalidou Koulibaly and the squad with a dignified salute before the team set off on a seven‑hour open‑top parade through the capital, culminating in a presidential ceremony that promised each player 75 million CFA francs and a parcel of land on Senegal’s coveted Petite Côte.
The streets of Dakar turned into a sea of green, yellow and red as thousands of fans poured out of homes, cafés and workplaces to greet their heroes. “This is our second title, but winning in Morocco is special,” said Marcel Ndecky, a lifelong supporter, as he clutched a flag and chanted with the crowd. From the airport’s tarmac, where President Faye praised the team’s “exceptional fighting spirit,” to the bustling avenues of downtown, supporters climbed billboards and car roofs for a glimpse of the open‑top bus carrying the trophy‑laden squad.
Pape Lo, who travelled 200 km from Touba, shouted, “We had to be here with them. I came to thank them for this title, which puts Senegal at the forefront of world football,” echoing the sentiment of many who braved the heat and traffic for a chance to see their lions. The deafening roar of vuvuzelas, car horns and chants of “Teranga Lions!” filled the air, while fireworks lit up the night sky, turning Dakar into a carnival of national pride.
Local newspapers captured the euphoria with headlines such as “Dakar’s streets flood with joy” and “Fans flood Dakar for victory parade,” noting that the celebration went beyond sport, reflecting a deep sense of patriotism and unity across generations. Business owners, like Ameth Mbaye, said the festivities “show the need to invest more in sports and reflect the determination of Senegal’s youth,” while many fans expressed gratitude for the team’s resilience after a chaotic final that saw a brief walk‑off and a saved penalty.
As the parade reached the presidential palace, President Faye announced a special bonus of 75 million CFA francs for each player and a 1,500 m² plot of land on the Petite Côte, cementing the nation’s appreciation for its champions. The night ended with crowds still dancing, chanting, and promising to keep the spirit alive until the next World Cup, with many already dreaming of another triumph on the global stage.
_Except from Senegal’s local newspaper reports curated by Newsworth Media Company._
