Senegal’s President Macky Sall has declared Monday, February 7, a public holiday – a paid day off – to celebrate the national football team’s first ever African Cup of Nations crown following their victory against the Pharaohs of Egypt.
The Teranga Lions triumphed on penalties over seven-time winners Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to lift the first ever AFCON in their history.
Due to visit Comoros at the end of a trip that took in Egypt and Ethiopia, Sall has cancelled his trip to welcome the triumphant Lions on their return to Dakar at 1300 GMT Monday.
The determined Lions had a chance within four minutes to roar when Mohamed Abdelmonem brought down Saliou Ciss in the penalty area. ‘Teranga Lions’ talisman Sadio Mané stepped up to take the spot-kick against Gabaski – who saved two penalties during Egypt’s semi-final shoot-out win over Cameroon – but the heroic shot-stopper parried Mané’s effort around the post.
Despite Senegal being the better side with several scoring opportunities, no goal to separate the two sides even after extra time as Gabaski denied the Teranga Lions with incredible saves while Édouard Mendy refuses to let Salah shine at the other end.
It was Egypt who first missed a kick but Gabaski immediately restored his side’s hope when he saved Senegal’s next kick. Surprisingly, Édouard Mendy saved Egypt’s fourth kick to give Mané – who had missed a penalty early in the game – all the needed confidence to take the last kick that won Senegal its first AFCON title.
After two previous final defeats in 2002 and 2019, Aliou Cissé triumphed in what is his third final involvement.
MOLATsportgist 