Senegal has rewarded each member of the national football team with cash prizes and plots of land, following their win at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Each team member received over $87,000 (£64,000) and plots in the capital, Dakar, and in the neighbouring Diamniadio city, during a ceremony at the Presidential palace.
President Macky Sall also appointed the team to the Senegal’s prestigious Order of the Lion, with fans cheering outside the gates.
The President had earlier thanked the team for reaching the “summit of Africa” and for bringing “pride and honour that marks great people.”
“There are no words to express you to our pride, our joy and our gratitude.
“By your vital force and your creative genius, you have reversed the course of history,” the President said, standing on a podium beside the Cup of Nations trophy.
“We dreamed of the Cup, you built this dream and you made it come true,” he added.
The President also praised Senegal Coach Aliou Cisse and urged him to lead his team to the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup, held in Qatar.
Senegal defeated Egypt 4-2 on penalties becoming the tournament champions for the first time in their history.
It declared Monday a national public holiday to celebrate the fete.
The celebrations began straight after the final whistle on Sunday night; seconds after Liverpool’s Sadio Mane sealed the historic victory over Egypt on penalties.
People poured on to the streets of Dakar, dancing and firing fireworks into the air. Three people were reported to have lost their lives during the massive celebrations.
President Sall had cut short a foreign tour to hold an official reception for the African champions. –BBC/AFP
