Senegalese President Macky Sall awarded exceptional financial prizes, distinctive real estate and the country's highest honors to the country's first national football team, as the celebration of the African Cup of Nations title continued after its victory over Egypt last Sunday.
Senegal won the title for the first time after 60 years of attempts, which increased the celebrations since the 4-2 victory over Egypt on penalties and after a goalless draw in the original and then extra time.
Tens of thousands of fans thronged the streets of the capital, Dakar, since the early hours of the morning last Monday, waiting for the arrival of the African champions.
The Senegal squad took an open-top bus to the streets to celebrate with fans in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Senegal twice came close to winning the African title, but lost to Algeria in the 2019 final, and to Cameroon in the 2002 final.
#TheChampions 🇸🇳🏆 pic.twitter.com/sHjCYP87EE
— Macky Sall (@Macky_Sall) February 8, 2022
Hundreds of people lined the roads and streets around the presidential palace in Dakar on Tuesday evening to salute the winning players.
Sall awarded the players the highest honors. "In addition, to express gratitude, and on behalf of the nation, the players and the remaining members of the official mission will each receive an exceptional reward of 50 million CFA francs (about $87,000) and a plot of 200 square meters in Dakar," he said.
The Senegalese president added that each person will also get a plot of 500 square meters to set up a memorial facility in Diamniadio, a new economic and industrial center about 45 kilometers from Dakar.
The National Stadium will open on the 22nd of this month.