Senegal President Declares Public Holiday After Sadio Mane and Co Deliver AFCON Glory

Senegal President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has declared a public holiday in the country after the West African nation clinched the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations trophy.

The Senegalese won the final when they beat Morocco 1-0 in extra-time in Rabat on Sunday after dramatic scenes that saw the Teranga Lions players nearly boycott the rest of the match after the hosts were awarded a late penalty.

It was the second AFCON title for Senegal in the last four years, having won the 2021 crown, and their President has decided to let the country celebrate in the best way possible.

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

Gaye also had plenty of praise for Teranga Lions, who went close to losing the game before luck went their way.

“By entrusting them with the national flag, we had given them a mission. They carried it out brilliantly, at the end of an epic match, by raising the colours of Senegal to the very summit of African football,” said Faye.

“I congratulate our Lions for this historic victory in the final of the Africa Cup of Nations. Faced with adversity and under immense pressure, you delivered a heroic battle, made of courage, discipline and solidarity.

“This new star is the fruit of collective effort, resilience and faith in excellence. It honours the entire Nation and permanently writes this generation into the sporting history of Africa.”

Morocco and Senegal put up a spectacle but drama ensued in the latter stages of the match when Senegal scored a goal that was ruled out for a foul on Achraf Hakimi, while Morocco were awarded a penalty moments later, which the Senegalese disputed.

Some of the Senegal players even walked off the pitch in protest and it took the intervention of some senior players, led by Sadio Mane, to bring the back for the penalty.

In a twist of fate, Brahim Diaz missed the penalty for Morocco after a horrible Panenka attempt was easily gathered by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, taking the game to extra-time, where Pape Gueye scored a cracking goal to win it for Pape Thiaw’s men.