Africa Cup of Nations

National holiday declared in Senegal to celebrate the AFCON victory

Senegal's Sadio Mane celebrates after winning the Africa Cup of Nations after a penalty shoot-out against Egypt at the Olembe Stadium in Yaounde on Sunday, February 6, 2022. (Photo: Reuters)

Official television reported that Senegal's President had declared Monday a national holiday to commemorate the national football team's first Africa Cup of Nations title.

Sadio Mane converted the decisive penalty in a 4-2 shootout victory over Egypt at the Olembe Stadium in Yaounde, Cameroon, depriving the Pharaohs of an unprecedented seventh continental title. After extra time, the game ended goallessly.

After a journey that included Egypt and Ethiopia, Macky Sall, who was scheduled to visit Comoros, postponed the final stage to greet the victorious Lions upon their return to Dakar at 1 p.m. GMT Monday, RTS public television said.

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Senegal has won their first Cup of Nations trophy following two prior final disappointments in 2002 and 2019.

On Tuesday, President Sall will honor the Lions at the presidential palace in Dakar, RTS television reported.

"The president of the republic declared Monday a public holiday, a paid day off, following the brilliant victory of the Lions," RTS reported, citing a presidential proclamation.

Edouard Mendy was scheduled to go to Abu Dhabi following the completion of Afcon to join Chelsea, who face Al Hilal in the Fifa Club World Cup semi-finals on Wednesday.

The English club has not specified when Mendy will arrive in the UAE, and it is unknown whether he will attend the Dakar celebrations.

Publish : 2022-02-07 14:42:00

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