Ecstasy and now a day off - Senegal fans around the world celebrate Afcon win

Senegal supporters have been partying after their team grabbed a dramatic 1-0 win over Morocco.

Senegalese fans wearing clothing and accessories in the colors of the national flag gather around African Renaissance Monument, chanting and singing to support their team.
[Andalou via Getty Images]

Senegal's President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has declared Monday a public holiday after the national team won the Africa Cup of Nations after beating tournament hosts Morocco 1-0 in a dramatic final on Sunday.

A disallowed goal, players walking off the pitch and a saved penalty made it a tense night in the stadium in the Moroccan capital, Rabat.

In Senegal's capital, Dakar, supporters were excited as they gathered at an outdoor screen at the foot of the giant African Renaissance Monument.

As the match unfolded the tension was too much to bear for some.

A Senegal fan covers his face with his football top printed with the number 10 on it.
[Reuters]

The moment Morocco's Brahim Diaz stepped up to take the penalty that would have won his country the Afcon trophy for the first time in 50 years was unwatchable for this Senegal fan.

But his miss and Senegal's subsequent goal in extra time were met with ecstasy in Dakar.

Senegalese soccer fans cheer as they watch the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final match between Senegal and Morocco in Dakar
[EPA]

"What just happened is divine... a scenario as if it were a Netflix series is crazy," fan Mohamed Diop told the Reuters news agency.

A Senegal supporter celebrates at a fan zone at the African Renaissance Monument in Dakar
[AFP via Getty Images]

The other side of the coin, of course, was the devastation for Moroccans at a fan park in the city of Sale.

A Moroccan fan has her hands clasped in front of her face. Other fans are around her looking sad.
[ANP via Getty Images]

"Maybe next time," one man told Reuters. "We have good players. Now we should get back to work so we can win in 2027."

Moroccan fans watching in the Dutch city of Eindhoven were also shocked by Diaz's penalty miss.

Fans gather at the Dynamo cultural venue to watch on a large screen the Africa Cup of Nations football final between Morocco and Senegal, in Eindhoven
[AFP via Getty Images]

But back in Dakar, once the final whistle had blown, the party started.

Two Senegal fans in country colours cheer as they lean out of a moving car.
[Reuters]

"We really needed to win. This team showed me courage and seriousness. We gave everything we had. We really thank Sadio Mané, he gave us everything," supporter Modou Yacine Diop told Reuters.

Senegal fans in the Italian city of Milan also came out on the streets.

Senegal fans take to the streets and celebrate after the victory of the African Cup of Nations final match between the Moroccan and Senegalese national teams in Milan, Italy
[Anadolu via Getty Images]

People also celebrated on public transport in the French capital, Paris.

A Senegalese fan holds his national team's jersey inside the Paris Metro after Senegal's victory over Morocco in the African Cup
[EPA]

And at a watch party in New York, hosted by new city mayor Zohran Mamdani, Senegal fans joined the party.

An attendee holds a
[Bloomberg via Getty Images]

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Category: General Sports