According to AFP, Senegal’s President Macky Sall declared Monday a public holiday to commemorate the national football team’s first-ever African Cup of Nations victory over Egypt.
Sall, who had planned to visit Comoros at the end of a trip that included Egypt and Ethiopia, canceled the final leg to greet the victorious Lions when they arrived in Dakar at 1300 GMT Monday, according to RTS.
Senegal defeated Egypt 4-2 in a penalty shoot-out in the Cameroon final on Sunday, led by Liverpool’s Sadio Mane. After extra time, the game remained goalless.
Senegal has won their first Cup of Nations trophy after two prior final disappointments in 2002 and 2019.
According to RTS Television, the Lions will be decorated by Sall on Tuesday at the presidential palace in Dakar.
“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.
