President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal has declared Monday a paid public holiday to honour the country’s historic triumph at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The announcement came shortly after Senegal were crowned champions of Africa following a dramatic and controversial final against hosts Morocco.
The Head of State said the public holiday was meant to allow all Senegalese to take part in celebrating what he described as a moment of immense national pride.
Speaking on national broadcaster RTS after the Lions’ victory, Faye urged citizens to mark the occasion with unity and dignity.
“This Monday will be considered a paid public holiday. Senegalese people will celebrate. Then we must welcome the Lions properly and congratulate them,” he said.
Senegal’s victory marks their second AFCON title, having previously lifted the trophy in Cameroon in 2022.
The latest success further cements the West African nation’s status as one of the dominant forces in African football, underlining the consistency and quality of a generation of players that has delivered sustained success on the continental stage.
By immediately involving the entire nation in the celebrations, Faye sought to turn the football triumph into a broader symbol of national unity and collective pride.
The gesture is also seen as a tribute to the players and technical team, whose resilience and composure under intense pressure wrote another chapter in the country’s sporting history.
The final itself was a tense affair, overshadowed by controversy late in normal time.
Senegal beat Morocco to win the Africa Cup of Nations for a second time, but only after the match was temporarily halted when the hosts were awarded a stoppage-time penalty with the game still goalless.
Morocco were handed a dramatic chance to clinch the title when Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded a penalty in the 24th minute of added time, following a VAR review of a challenge on Brahim Diaz by El Hadji Malick Diouf.
The decision sparked furious protests from Senegalese players and supporters, who felt aggrieved by the timing and nature of the call.
Brahim Diaz, the Real Madrid winger, stepped up to take the spot-kick on Sunday but failed to convert. Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy comfortably saved the weak attempted “Panenka,” with Diaz appearing visibly unsettled after a prolonged delay that followed the referee’s decision.
Earlier, Senegal had already been angered by the referee’s decision to disallow a goal by Ismaila Sarr for a foul in the second minute of added time, adding to the tension surrounding the closing stages of normal time.
Following Diaz’s miss, the match moved into extra time at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium. Senegal capitalised on the momentum swing, and Gueye produced a brilliant strike in the 94th minute to secure the title, silencing a crowd of 66,526 Moroccan supporters.
The dramatic victory sparked scenes of jubilation back home, prompting the President’s declaration of a public holiday as Senegal prepared to give the AFCON champions a heroes’ welcome.
