Dakar celebrates Senegal parade for AFCON winning team
Thousands upon thousands of Senegal football supporters filled the roads of Dakar on Tuesday while the Lions of Teranga kicked off a triumphant procession to mark their success in the Africa Cup of Nations final versus Morocco.
The athletes and staff held up their cup from an open roofed vehicle that crept forward amid the vast throngs of people.
Countless individuals assembled at the processions origin, a modest district known as Patte dOie, dressed in club shirts, singing, tooting horns and sounding vuvuzelas.
People of all ages and genders appeared alongside the path, with some standing on the pavement and others observing from structures or overpasses.
A number of enthusiasts jogged beside the vehicle as it moved gradually along the motorway, viewers pushing for a glimpse, scaling vehicles and even advertisement boards.
Law enforcement officers were out in significant numbers too.
The Senegal squad is traversing the city centre following their arrival via a dedicated flight from Morocco just prior to midnight on Monday, where they met President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and further government figures.
Senegal secured the Africa Cup of Nations by defeating hosts Morocco 1-0 in a tumultuous final in Rabat on Sunday, during which the ultimate victors briefly left the field towards the end.
The procession will guide the group through modest and affluent areas before proceeding along the capitals famous seaside road, the Corniche.
The athletes will afterwards receive an official welcome in front of the presidential residence in the late afternoon or evening.
Noise of triumph
The clamour of horns and whistles has persisted nearly nonstop since Senegals win on Sunday evening, as supporters spilled onto the roads, saturating the atmosphere with blaring horns, fireworks and the intense blast of vuvuzelas.
Away from the procession, a barrage of vuvuzelas echoed through central Dakar on Tuesday afternoon.
The achievement represents Senegals second championship, following their 2022 success against Egypt in Cameroon. It was the squads third appearance in the final across the previous four tournaments.
Hortense Kenny attended Patte dOie with her five year old youngster to see the procession.
The Lions filled a whole country with pride by overcoming the host nation under those conditions, she shared with AFP, alluding to the matches conclusion.
Now the only goal remaining is the World Cup. With Sadio Mane, everything seems achievable, she added, mentioning the squads top player.
His function as a mediator in the final, where he remained on the field and convinced his colleagues to come back, has received broad acclaim.
Close by, Abdulai Sy, aged 49, informed AFP he felt very very joyful, and was deeply moved by the success which instilled in him a strong feeling of national pride as a Senegalese.
Disputed victory
Tuesdays assembly appeared unaffected by the controversy over their squads choice to exit the field late in regular play, protesting a spot kick given to Morocco.
Encouraged by Mane, they resumed play and Moroccos Brahim Diazs attempted Panenka kick was straightforwardly stopped by Senegals keeper, before Pape Gueye clinched the match with an outstanding strike in added time that left the Moroccan audience in shock.
The Moroccan football association stated it had submitted the events, encompassing objections from Senegal athletes and supporters, to the Confederation of African Football and FIFA.
Distant from Morocco, the profitable aspect of football had reached even the roadways of Dakar on Tuesday.
Amath Ndiaye, a 36 year old roadside seller who typically offers tissues, explained to AFP that he had changed to peddling shirts, banners, vuvuzelas and horns for the length of AFCON and the following festivities.
On Tuesday, he was revelling in the shrewdness of his choice.
Business is good, he conveyed to AFP from Patte dOie, close to the exuberant gathering adorned in national Senegalese attire and fluttering flags.