Members of Senegal’s National Men’s Football Team have received national honours after returning to the West Africa nation following their triumph at the 2025 AFCON.
Senegal beat Morocco 1-0 in the very controversial AFCON final to win its second continental title after its 2021 triumph.
The team returned home to a very raucous welcome that had them parade through the streets of Dakar with over 10,000 people joining in the celebrations.
Members of the team had national honours conferred on them at a private ceremony by Senegal President Bassirou Faye.
Led by head coach Pape Thiaw, the players took turns to receive the very prestigious National Order of the Lion of Senegal Award.
Thiaw has become a very popular but polarizing figure since instructing his players to abandon the game against Morocco to protest their displeasure over a penalty awarded.
Senegal winger Sadio Mane managed to convince his teammates to get back to the pitch to continue the game and Edouard Mendy saved Brahim Diaz’s penalty kick forcing the game to extra time where Pape Gueye scored the winning goal.
Scroll down to watch highlights of the ceremony honouring members of Senegal’s 2025 AFCON winning group
Senegal National Team Coach Pape Thiaw and the players have been BESTOWED with the rank of Commander of the National Order of the Lion of Senegal. This is Commendable and well deserved recognition for Africa’s Number 1 Team pic.twitter.com/3TzXrMrnay
— African (@ali_naka) January 21, 2026
