AFCON triumph: Senegal declares public holiday, Sadio Mané hailed

Senegal President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has declared Monday a paid public holiday to celebrate the national team’s dramatic Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) victory over hosts Morocco.

“The joy is indescribable,” President Faye said on live television, speaking shortly after Senegal clinched the title.

“We saw patriots fighting for our honour. This is a victory for the Lions, for the coaching staff, and for the entire Senegalese people.”

Faye added after the final whistle: “This Monday will be considered a paid public holiday. Senegalese people will celebrate. Then we must welcome the Lions properly and congratulate them.”

The celebrations followed a tense final in Rabat that saw Senegal briefly walk off the pitch in protest against a controversial late penalty awarded to Morocco--only for star Sadio Mané to step in and rally his teammates back to complete the match.

“Yes, it was I who convinced the team to return to the field,” Mané told African media after the final.

“The players and the coach had decided to withdraw, and I didn’t understand that decision ... but finally I told everyone to return immediately and play no matter the cost.”

The decision to return proved pivotal. Morocco’s Ibrahim Díaz missed the penalty, and Senegal went on to win 1–0 after extra time, with Pape Gueye scoring the decisive goal.

Online and in media commentary, football figures praised Mané’s leadership.

Former Nigeria forward Daniel Amokachi said on BBC World Service: “Mane went the extra mile to get his team back and it has paid off. What an ambassador for football he is.”

Former Morocco international Hassan Kachloul added: “The only player from the Senegalese team was Sadio Mané ... he went back to the dressing room and brought those players back on.”

Social media echoed the sentiment, with fans describing the moment Mané urged his teammates back onto the pitch as a defining act of leadership — and a reason Senegal’s celebration can now be shared by the whole nation.

Monday’s holiday will allow citizens to celebrate the Teranga Lions’ continental success and honour the leadership that helped secure one of the most memorable wins in Senegalese football history.