Senegal’s national football team, the Lions of Teranga, received a rousing welcome in Dakar after clinching the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title in dramatic fashion. The squad returned late Monday night, medals around their necks and the coveted AFCON trophy in hand, at the end of a historic campaign.
At the airport, jubilant fans dressed in national colours greeted the champions with cheers, music and celebrations that stretched into the night. Supporters waved flags and chanted the players’ names as the team walked through the terminal, soaking in the applause.
The highlight came when captain Kalidou Koulibaly and his teammates formally presented the AFCON trophy to President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. The head of state praised the squad’s effort and resilience, noting their impressive run through a tournament filled with intense competition.
This victory marks Senegal’s second Africa Cup of Nations crown, following their previous title in 2022. Despite a highly charged final against host nation Morocco — which saw tension and spirited controversy on and off the pitch — the Lions emerged triumphant, uniting the nation in pride and celebration.
Plans are in place for further festivities, including a victory parade through the streets of Dakar and a formal reception at the presidential palace.
