CAN 2022: scenes of jubilation in Dakar after the victory of Senegal, which decrees this Monday "holiday, unemployed and paid"

Dakar exploded with joy on Sunday evening after the whistle closing the final of the African Cup of Nations (CAN) in Yaoundé, where the "Lions" of Sadio Mané beat the "Pharaohs" of Egypt of Mohamed Salah at the shots on goal.

"Champions of Africa.

What a game !

Which team !

You did it.

Beautiful moment of football, beautiful moment of communion and national pride.

Congratulations to our heroes,” Senegalese President Macky Sall said in a tweet.

President Sall declared Monday "holiday, non-working day and paid" after "the brilliant victory" in the CAN of the national team, public television announced on Sunday evening.

Mr. Sall, who was to be absent from Senegal until February 9 for various stays in Egypt, Ethiopia and the Comoros, "cancelled" this last stage to "welcome Monday at 1 p.m. (GMT and local) the national selection at Yoff military airport (Dakar), according to the same source.

Crowded Independence Square

The players and members of the management of the national team will be "decorated" Tuesday by Mr. Sall, at the presidential palace in Dakar.

A huge clamor resounded Sunday evening when the star Sadio Mané succeeded in the shot consecrating Senegal, during the penalty shootout (0-0 after, 4-2 on pens).

Hundreds of supporters, dressed in Senegal jerseys, flocked to Independence Square, near the Presidential Palace, in the administrative and business center of Dakar.

Police erected barriers to prevent crowds pouring into the square from approaching the Palace.

The places vibrated to the sound of car horns, vuvuzelas, whistles, cries of joy, firecrackers sometimes illuminating the sky, dances and songs to the glory of the selection.

A festive atmosphere took hold of the entire city of Dakar and its suburbs, amid the flags of Senegal, hung on buildings, on vehicles, on arteries and sidewalks, in several neighborhoods.

The atmosphere was crazy, at the Monument de la Renaissance, a monumental statue which dominates Dakar from the area of ​​the Mamelles district, at the foot of which was installed a fanzone with several dozen people.

People hugged in the middle of the bonfires after the penalty shootout.

" I am happy.

It's the happiest day of my life,” Modou Ba, who introduced himself as a 25-year-old car washer, told AFP.

" The best day of my life "

“We waited a long time.

(The cup) is finally here (in Senegal).

We really needed it,” said Seydou Nourou Diop, a 27-year-old accountant.

Student Khadim Lô, 21, says he is “very proud of our Lions.

This is exceptional ".

At the foot of the monument, the supporters then left the fanzone to reach the street, some standing on cars including pick-ups, mingling with the crowd coming out of the houses to demonstrate.

The joy however took time to take shape, after the 120 regulatory minutes.

The sadness was palpable on their faces when, in the 7th minute, Sadio Mané missed a penalty.

“He (Sadio Mané) must not miss the penalty.

For a final the great player does not miss.

It's unacceptable,” fumed Pape Mbaye, a 24-year-old driver.

During the penalty shootout, supporters turned away from the screen.

One of them, squatting, even shed tears.

When an Egyptian shot-stopper sent the ball over the post, then another missed his, stopped by Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, the faces of the supporters, holding hands, relaxed.

Before Liverpool star Sadio Mané converted the last shot that took Senegal to the roof of African football for the first time, after losing two finals in 2002, against Cameroon, and 2019, in which Sadio Mané participated, against Algeria.

And off we go for a long night of celebration in Dakar...