Senegal's football team was given a hero's welcome on their return home after winning the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the first time.
Tens of thousands of people, some sitting on top of cars and waving flags, gathered to welcome the players landing in Dakar with the trophy. President Macky Sall was amongst those greeting them.
The celebrations began straight after the final whistle on Sunday night, seconds after Liverpool star striker, 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.
"We waited a long time,” one fan said. “The cup is finally here.
“We really needed it." Authorities in Senegal declare Monday a national holiday.
There were also scenes of jubilation in the French capital, Paris, home to a large Senegalese community, with thousands of celebrating supporters gathering at the Arc du Triomphe. After the winning penalty was scored by Mane, President Sall cut short a foreign tour to hold an official reception for the African champions.
In a tweet, he congratulated the team, saying: "What a game! What a team! You did it. Beautiful moment of football, beautiful moment of communion and national pride. Congratulations to our heroes."
Senegal narrowly lost two previous finals, in 2019 and 2002, and were favourites to win the tournament this year.
