Senegal President Declares Paid Holiday to Celebrate 2025 AFCON Victory
President Bassirou Diomaye Faye announces a national paid holiday on Monday to allow citizens to celebrate Senegal’s second Africa Cup of Nations title and welcome the victorious team home.
- Senegal will observe a paid holiday on Monday to celebrate the 2025 AFCON triumph
- Senegal secured their second AFCON title after defeating Morocco in a dramatic final
- The holiday allows citizens to join in welcoming the team and marking the achievement
Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has announced a paid public holiday this Monday to mark the country’s historic triumph at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The announcement came shortly after Senegal were crowned champions of Africa following a dramatic and controversial final against hosts Morocco.
The holiday aims to give all Senegalese citizens the opportunity to celebrate a moment of immense national pride.
Speaking on national broadcaster RTS, President Faye urged citizens to observe the celebrations with unity and dignity.
“This Monday will be considered a paid public holiday. Senegalese people will celebrate. Then we must welcome the Lions properly and congratulate them,” he said.
The victory marks Senegal’s second AFCON title, following their maiden triumph in Cameroon in 2022, and reinforces the nation’s status as a continental football powerhouse, built on a generation of players demonstrating consistency, quality, and resilience.
By declaring the public holiday, Faye also honoured the players and technical staff, whose composure and determination under pressure secured another historic chapter in Senegalese football.
The final itself was intensely dramatic, overshadowed by controversy in stoppage time. Morocco were awarded a penalty after a VAR review for a challenge on Brahim Diaz by El Hadji Malick Diouf, leading to a 14-minute delay and protests from Senegalese players.
Diaz’s penalty attempt, a poorly executed Panenka, was saved by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, keeping the score 0-0.
Momentum then swung in Senegal’s favour during extra time, with Pape Gueye scoring in the 94th minute, silencing the 66,526-strong Moroccan crowd at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium and securing the historic win.
The President’s holiday declaration comes as Senegal prepares to give the AFCON champions a heroes’ welcome, turning the football triumph into a national celebration of unity and pride.
