In Senegal, the national football team, now African champions after winning the CAN against Egypt, was received triumphantly by President Macky Sall on Tuesday February 8 in front of the Palace of the Republic during a public ceremony. decoration of the Lions. Enough to continue the celebration of the first victory in the African Cup of Nations, which has not stopped since Sunday February 6.
With our correspondent in Dakar, Thea Olivier
In front of an ecstatic audience, the national team players were called one by one to receive the National Order of Lions from the hand of the President Macky Sallone of the country’s greatest honors.
At the start of the ceremony, Kalidou Koulibaly, the captain, spoke first to thank the head of state, the Senegalese people, but also coach Aliou Cissé:
” Coach, you were a courageous captain, you are now a champion coach. Your staff and you have been a great contribution to our victory. You have worked meticulously with patriotism, selflessness, but above all with confidence. The result is there. »
A speech that made the delight of supporters who came en masselike Naé Dianka, who came with her family: “ I’ve never seen the players in the flesh, and that’s what motivated me to come, to see them. »
The players and the whole delegation will receive a bonus of 50 million CFA francs, land of 200 and 500 m2 in Dakar and Diamniadio.
Deserved gifts, according to Mickaelou Gueye, a fan of the team since childhood: ” It is well deserved, given the passion of the lions, their determination since the start of the competition, they gave themselves body and soul to win this trophy, which was not at all easy given the level of the teams in Africa which keeps getting stronger. The Lions have really been on top. »
Fans are now looking forward to World Cup qualifying matches.
During the award by Senegalese President Macky Sall, in all, 52 people were decorated ” officer ” Where ” commander of the Order of the Lion, in addition to bounties and land. Rewards that the president justifies by the quality of the performances achieved by the players throughout the championship.
Senegalese President Macky Sall decorates the Teranga Lions after their CAN coronation