Senegal’s president announced generous cash bonuses and land allocations for players and officials after the national team captured the Africa Cup of Nations title with a dramatic final victory over Morocco.
Following a tense 1-0 win, Senegal were crowned AFCON champions for the second time. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye told the squad that their achievement reflected national unity and discipline, praising the players for honoring the country on the continental stage.
“Dear Lions, you have honoured the flag entrusted to you. You have honoured Senegal,” Faye said while addressing the team. “You have shown by example that when Senegalese people move forward together with discipline and confidence, no challenge is beyond their reach.”
Under the rewards package, each of the 28 squad members will receive 75 million CFA francs, roughly £106,000, along with a 1,500-square-meter plot of land. The total value of the players’ bonuses amounts to about 2.1 billion CFA francs, or approximately £3.1 million.
Additional incentives were announced for football administrators and officials. Members of Senegal’s football federation are set to receive 50 million CFA francs and 1,000-square-meter land plots, while the Senegalese delegation to Morocco will be awarded 20 million CFA francs and 500-square-meter plots. Staff of the sports ministry will also share in bonuses totaling 305 million CFA francs.
The final itself was marked by controversy and high drama. Senegal were awarded a penalty deep into stoppage time after West Ham defender El Hadji Malick Diouf was judged to have fouled Real Madrid’s Brahim Diaz. Tempers flared as a scuffle broke out between players from both teams, prompting Senegal’s coach to urge his side to leave the pitch.
Morocco failed to capitalize on the penalty, with a softly struck Panenka easily saved by former Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. Senegal then sealed the title four minutes into extra time through a decisive strike by Pape Gueye.
Thousands of supporters gathered in Dakar on Tuesday to celebrate the team’s homecoming. Earlier in the day, the Lions of Teranga paraded through the capital aboard an “African champions” bus en route to the presidential palace, where the scale of the rewards was formally unveiled.
When Senegal last won the Africa Cup of Nations, defeating Egypt in the final, players were awarded 50 million CFA francs and 200-square-meter plots of land, highlighting the increased incentives offered for this latest triumph.
In December, Confederation of African Football President Patrice Motsepe announced that the AFCON champions would receive $10 million in prize money, adding to the financial significance of the tournament victory.
Reuters
