Senegal Celebrates, Dance Music Echoes To Greet Africa Cup Of Nations Heroes As They Land In Dakar

Illustration of Senegal's triumphant party at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (Twitter @CAF_Online)

JAKARTA - Several people clung to billboards and others danced on the tarmac as the Senegal national football team landed in the capital Dakar after winning its first African Cup of Nations. All of them had happy faces.

Senegalese dance music echoed from loudspeakers over the crowd of adoring fans as the team exited the plane to be greeted like heroes. The streets around the airport were flooded with supporters as far as the eye could see.

They came by bicycle, motorbike, car, and on foot so that the previously congested road became jammed. Among them were government officials and opposition politicians. They celebrate the victory of the state with one nation.

LIVE from DAKAR, SENEGAL! #TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 | #AFCON2021 | #TeamSenegal | [via IG edou_mendy] pic.twitter.com/HmLG0mu3ND

— #TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 (@CAF_Online) February 7, 2022

"We've lost this tournament for so long. I've been watching this team since the 1970s, waiting," said Thierno Niane, a 60-year-old computer programmer, who came from the outskirts of Dakar a few hours ago to welcome his favorite team. , Tuesday, February 8th.

"Last night I cried in front of my family, my wife and children," he added.

"We are very happy and proud of our lion," said supporter Amina Cisse. "Our dream has come true."

Star man Sadio Mane scored the winner with a penalty kick to seal Senegal's 4-2 win on penalties after 120 minutes of a 0-0 draw against Egypt in the final in Yaounde the previous night.

It was the long-awaited victory for the West African nation, which was defeated by Algeria in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations final. Senegal also reached the final of the 2002 tournament, but lost on penalties to Cameroon.

Fireworks, horns and cheers were heard throughout the night in Dakar until Monday morning, when hundreds of people wearing national team jerseys or the Senegalese flag gathered outside the airport to await their teams' return.