On 20/1, thousands of fans poured into the streets to welcome the returning Senegal national team in a festive atmosphere. Players paraded on an open-top bus along Dakar's coastal boulevard, bearing the inscription "African Champions", heading towards the Presidential Palace.

Senegal players parading on a bus celebrating Africa Cup of Nations victory along Dakar's coastal boulevard on 20/1. *Photo: Reuters*

Speaking at the celebration ceremony on the evening of 21/1 in the capital Dakar, Senegal's President Bassirou Diomaye Faye announced that each of the 28 national team players would receive approximately 135,000 USD in prize money, totaling nearly 3,7 million USD. Additionally, each player was granted a 1,500 square meter plot of coastal land.

Beyond the players, President Faye stated that members of the Senegal Football Federation would each receive about 90,000 USD along with a 1,000 square meter plot of land. Members of the Senegal delegation attending the tournament in Morocco were awarded nearly 36,000 USD and 500 square meters of land. Staff from the Senegal Ministry of Sports also received total prize money approximating 550,000 USD.

Addressing the crowd in front of the Presidential Palace, Faye said: "You have brought glory to the national flag and honor of Senegal. You showed that when Senegalese move forward with discipline and faith, no challenge is insurmountable".

These substantial rewards were announced as Senegal faces significant financial difficulties. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Senegal's public debt reached 132% of its GDP by the end of 2024, after the new administration uncovered billions of USD in unreported debt from the previous government. The IMF has frozen a 1,8 billion USD loan program, compelling Senegal to rely more on regional bond issues.

Senegal won the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations. *Photo: Reuters*

The Africa Cup of Nations final at Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium on 18/1 was chaotic. In the seventh minute of injury time in the second half, referee Jean-Jacques Ndala consulted VAR and awarded a penalty to host nation Morocco, leading to a fierce reaction from Senegal, who left the field in protest.

The incident halted the match for about 15 minutes. When Senegal returned to the field for the final to resume, Brahim Diaz stepped up to take the penalty for Morocco. The Real Madrid forward attempted a Panenka-style kick, but goalkeeper Edouard Mendy anticipated it and made a clean save. This incredible miss cost Morocco the chance to win its first continental title in 50 years, pushing the match into extra time where Pape Gueye shone with a powerful shot, securing a 1-0 victory for Senegal.

This marked Senegal's second Africa Cup of Nations title, following their victory in 2021. After the 2021 win, each player received approximately 90,000 USD and a 200 square meter plot of land. According to Patrice Motsepe, President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), this year's tournament winner in Morocco would also receive an additional 10 million USD in prize money from CAF.

Hong Duy (via Reuters)