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

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.Image source, Andalou via Getty Images
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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.Image source, 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 DakarImage source, 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 DakarImage source, 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.Image source, 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 Image source, 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.Image source, Reuters
Senegal football supporters celebrate at the Place du Souvenir Africain in Dakar. A fan in a Mexican wrestling mask is waving a Senegal flag and standing up through the roof of a car, which also has the flag on its bonnet.Image source, AFP via Getty Images
Fans lean out of the windows of a minibus taxi in celebration.Image source, Reuters
Senegal supporters hold a flare as they celebrate in Ouakam, Dakar. The pciture is bathed in a red light from the flare.Image source, AFP via Getty Images

"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, ItalyImage source, Anadolu via Getty Images

People also celebrated in the Château Rouge area of the French capital, Paris, which some know as Little Africa.

Senegal football supporters celebrate on Boulevard Barbes, at Chateau Rouge.Image source, NurPhoto via Getty Images

In the Spanish capital, Madrid, people followed the match in restaurants in the Lavapies neighbourhood.

A close up shot of a woman holding a Senegal flag.Image source, NurPhoto via Getty Images

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

An attendee holds a "Go Senegal" sign during a watch party for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final match with Zohran Mamdani, mayor of New York,Image source, Bloomberg via Getty Images
A woman looking at her mobile phone and the graphic BBC News AfricaImage source, Getty Images/BBC

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