Senegal declares public holiday to celebrate AFCON victory

The President of Senegal, Macky Sall, has declared Monday a public holiday to celebrate the national football team’s first-ever African Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy.

The Senegalese team had on Sunday emerged the 2021 AFCON champions after beating the Pharaohs of Egypt on penalties.

However, Senegal’s President, who had been due to visit Comoros at the end of a trip that took him to Egypt and Ethiopia, cancelled the journey in order to welcome the triumphant Lions on their return to Dakar, the capital of Senegal on Monday.

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“The president of the republic declared Monday a public holiday, a paid day off, following the brilliant victory of the Lions,” RTS television announced.

The public television further stated that the Senegalese team will be decorated by President Sall on Tuesday at the presidential palace in Dakar.

Senegal defeated Egypt 4-2 in a penalty shoot-out at Sunday’s final in Cameroon after a goalless draw.

The Teranga Lions claimed their first AFCON title after two previous final defeats in 2002 and 2019.

TheStar