The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Senegal

  • Senegal reward victorious AFCON team with bonuses, land

    Senegal reward victorious AFCON team with bonuses, land

    Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has offered bonuses of more than $130,000 as well as plots of coastal land to each member of the country’s soccer team following their victory in Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco.

    He spoke at a ceremony in the capital Dakar on Tuesday night during which thousands of jubilant supporters took to the streets to welcome the victorious Lions of Teranga home.

    Senegal beat hosts Morocco 1-0 after extra time, having staged a walk-off after they had a penalty awarded against them deep in stoppage time at the end of 90 minutes.

    After the Senegal players returned to the pitch, Morocco missed the spot kick and Pape Gueye then won the trophy with a superb strike four minutes into extra time.

    Earlier on Tuesday, the Senegal players rode atop a bus emblazoned with the words “African champions” along Dakar’s corniche towards the presidential palace.

    The bonuses of 75 million CFA francs ($134,892.09) for each of the squad’s 28 players total 2.1 billion CFA francs or $3.7 million. The players will also receive 1,500 square-metre plots of land.

    In addition, Faye said members of Senegal’s soccer federation would receive 50 million CFA francs and 1,000 square-metre plots, while members of the Senegalese delegation to Morocco would receive 20 million CFA francs and 500 square-metre plots.

    He said sports ministry staff would receive 305 million CFA francs in bonuses.

    Read Also: UCL: Atletico held in Istanbul as top-eight hopes fade

    The pledges come as Senegal grapples with debts that the International Monetary Fund said hit 132% of GDP at the end of 2024 after the current leadership uncovered billions in debts that were not reported by the previous administration.

    The IMF froze a $1.8 billion lending programme over the controversy, forcing Senegal to rely heavily on regional debt auctions to meet its financing needs.

    The new IMF mission chief travelled to Senegal for an introductory visit this week.

    “Dear Lions, you have honoured the flag entrusted to you. You have honoured Senegal. You have shown by example that when Senegalese people move forward together with discipline and confidence, no challenge is beyond their reach,” Faye said on Tuesday while speaking on a stage in front of the presidential palace.

    Senegal won the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in 2021, beating Egypt in the final. Back then, players were awarded bonuses worth 50 million CFA francs and 200 square-metre plots of land.

    Patrice Motsepe, president of the Confederation of African Football, said in December that the winners of the 35th  edition in Morocco would receive $10 million in prize money.

  • Brave Senegal stun hosts Morocco to claim second AFCON title

    Brave Senegal stun hosts Morocco to claim second AFCON title

    Senegal are the champions of Africa once again after winning a chaotic and bizarre final against host nation Morocco.

    Villarreal midfielder Pape Gueye’s stunning strike in extra time secured a second ever Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) crown for Senegal after a hugely controversial end to regular time.

    After the referee had awarded Morocco a penalty for Malick Diouf’s foul on Brahim Diaz in stoppage time, following a long VAR check, Senegal’s players left the pitch in protest under the instruction of their manager Pape Thiaw.

    Moments earlier, Senegal had been controversially denied a winning goal when Ismaila Sarr found the back of the net, which was chalked off for a questionable foul on Achraf Hakimi by Abdoulaye Seck.

    Read Also: NFF will decide my future as Super Eagles coach – Chelle

    Brahim Diaz stepped up to take the spot-kick when the Senegal players eventually re-emerged from the dressing room after a delay of around 15 minutes, but saw his dinked effort down the middle of the goal easily saved by Edouard Mendy, before Gueye won the game in extra time.

    In front of a passionate home crowd, the Lions of Teranga showed composure, resilience and champion mentality, withstanding relentless Moroccan pressure before delivering the decisive moment that settled a final worthy of African football’s biggest stage.

    For Senegal, this triumph confirms a golden era— at the summit of African football and another chapter of history written with discipline, belief and collective strength.

    Morocco pushed until the very end, but Senegal’s defensive resolve and big-game experience proved decisive as the trophy heads to Dakar once more.

    Africa has a champion again—and Senegal stand tall at the summit of the continent.

  • Brave Senegal stun hosts Morocco to claim second AFCON title

    Brave Senegal stun hosts Morocco to claim second AFCON title

    Senegal are the champions of Africa once again after winning a chaotic and bizarre final against host nation Morocco.

    Villarreal midfielder Pape Gueye’s stunning strike in extra time secured a second ever Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) crown for Senegal after a hugely controversial end to regular time.

    After the referee had awarded Morocco a penalty for Malick Diouf’s foul on Brahim Diaz in stoppage time, following a long VAR check, Senegal’s players left the pitch in protest under the instruction of their manager Pape Thiaw.

    Moments earlier, Senegal had been controversially denied a winning goal when Ismaila Sarr found the back of the net, which was chalked off for a questionable foul on Achraf Hakimi by Abdoulaye Seck.

    Brahim Diaz stepped up to take the spot-kick when the Senegal players eventually re-emerged from the dressing room after a delay of around 15 minutes, but saw his dinked effort down the middle of the goal easily saved by Edouard Mendy, before Gueye won the game in extra time.

    READ ALSO: Let the truth speak in the Bauchi EFCC case

    In front of a passionate home crowd, the Lions of Teranga showed composure, resilience and champion mentality, withstanding relentless Moroccan pressure before delivering the decisive moment that settled a final worthy of African football’s biggest stage.

    For Senegal, this triumph confirms a golden era— at the summit of African football and another chapter of history written with discipline, belief and collective strength.

    Morocco pushed until the very end, but Senegal’s defensive resolve and big-game experience proved decisive as the trophy heads to Dakar once more.

    Africa has a champion again—and Senegal stand tall at the summit of the continent.

  • AFCON: Senegal dominates Sudan with convincing 3–1 win

    AFCON: Senegal dominates Sudan with convincing 3–1 win

    Tactical brilliance meets raw passion as the Lions of Teranga fight to maintain their lead against a relentless Sudanese attack.

    Senegal claimed an important 3–1 win over Sudan in their Africa Cup of Nations encounter, confirming their superiority in a match that combined intensity, emotion, and moments of high quality. The Teranga Lions overturned an early setback thanks to a decisive brace from Pape Gueye, while Sudan left the tournament with pride after a courageous performance led by goal scorer Aamir Abdallah.

    Read Also: AFCON 2025: Senegal defeat Sudan 3–1 to advance to quarter final

    The match began at a frenetic pace, and it was Sudan who stunned the favorites early on. In the 6th minute, Aamir Abdallah took advantage of a defensive lapse and finished calmly inside the box, sending Sudan into a surprise lead. The goal energized the Sudanese side, who defended with discipline and looked to threaten on the counterattack.

  • Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire book tickets to W’CUP 2026

    Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire book tickets to W’CUP 2026

    Senegal secured a runaway 4-0 victory over neighbours Mauritania to finish top of their qualifying group and reach next year’s World Cup finals.

    Senegal were quarter-finalists in 2002 and also competed at the 2018 and 2022 World Cup finals.

    Read Also: NFF to review Chelle’s contract next month

    Elsewhere, Cote d’Ivoire  overcame Kenya 3-0 in their final qualifier on Tuesday to finish top of their group and secure a berth at next year’s World Cup finals in Canada, Mexico and the U.S.

    The Ivorians are reigning African champions and will be competing at a fourth World Cup but first since 2014.

  • Senegal one win away from qualification

    Senegal one win away from qualification

    Senegal moved within touching distance of World Cup qualification after an emphatic 5–0 win away to South Sudan in Juba.

    Ismaila Sarr opened the scoring from close range before Sadio Mane capitalised on defensive errors to double the lead immediately after half-time.

    Read Also: I’m not interested in  NFF chairmanship, says Fani-Kayode

    Sarr then added a third before Nicolas Jackson converted a penalty, and substitute Cherif Ndiaye rounded off the scoring.

    Victory leaves Pape Thiaw’s side needing just one more win, at home to Mauritania on Tuesday, to seal qualification.

  • Calls for reparations spark scrutiny of France’s colonial past in Senegal

    Calls for reparations spark scrutiny of France’s colonial past in Senegal

    France’s colonial legacy in West Africa has come under renewed scrutiny as demands for reparations and economic justice intensify across the region.

    At a high-profile roundtable held at the African Memorial Square in Dakar, Senegal, historians, journalists, pan-African activists, and descendants of colonial-era soldiers gathered to demand formal accountability from the French government.

    The event, spearheaded by advocacy groups such as the Association of Descendants of Senegalese Soldiers, the Front for the Withdrawal of French Military Bases (GASSI), and JIF’AFRIK, reignited urgent conversations about France’s historical exploitation and the continued impact of neocolonial policies on the region.

    “The time for symbolic gestures is over,” declared Babacar Dioh of the Thiaroye 44 Movement—a coalition of descendants of Senegalese tirailleurs who served France during both World Wars. “We are now filing an official reparations claim and taking concrete steps to hold France accountable.”

    Read Also: 2025 CHAN: Senegal begin camping for Nigeria, others

    Souleymane Jules Diallo, leader of JIF’AFRIK, linked the region’s ongoing development challenges to the legacy of colonialism and denounced exploitative military and trade agreements that persist decades after independence.

    The forum’s key demands include formal reparations for colonial-era injustices and the renegotiation of post-independence agreements that activists argue reinforce economic dependency. Participants also called for the removal of French military bases and the establishment of an economic model grounded in sovereignty, sustainability, and fairness.

    Beyond financial redress, speakers highlighted the enduring social and environmental damage caused by colonial rule, urging a comprehensive reckoning with history.

    As Dakar emerges as a new hub for reparations advocacy, observers believe this renewed movement could shape future diplomatic dynamics between African nations and France, particularly as younger generations lead the charge for meaningful decolonisation in both policy and practice.

  • Paradigm Initiative signs MoU with Senegal’s CDP on data protection

    Paradigm Initiative signs MoU with Senegal’s CDP on data protection

    Paradigm Initiative (PIN), a leading African digital rights and inclusion organisation, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Senegal’s Commission de Protection des Données Personnelles (CDP) to advance data protection and digital inclusion in the West African nation.

    The agreement is aimed at fostering collaboration between the two entities to ensure Senegalese citizens are better equipped to navigate the digital economy while safeguarding their personal data.

    According to PIN, the MoU underscored a shared commitment to raising awareness, providing redress for data rights violations, and creating a rights-respecting digital environment.

    Speaking at the signing ceremony, Executive Director of PIN, ‘Gbenga Sesan, emphasised the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration in securing the digital economy.

    Sesan stated: “We are happy to work with the CDP and any agency of government on data protection, not just us, but civil society in general.

    “Government, private sector, civil society, and media must work together for us to enjoy the best of the digital economy. We can’t keep talking about the digital economy without protecting it.”

    Sesan highlighted PIN’s extensive work in data protection across Africa, noting its involvement in Nigeria’s Data Protection Law, enacted on 2 June 2023.

    He also referenced the organisation’s earlier efforts with the Digital Rights and Freedom Bill, which was presented to former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019 but was not signed, leading to the separation of digital rights and data protection legislation.

    He added: “We agreed very quickly to work together on ensuring Senegalese citizens are trained on digital inclusion and data protection.

    “When rights are violated, they can seek redress through the CDP.”

    PIN, which operates in six African countries—Cameroon, Nigeria, Kenya, Senegal, Zambia, and Zimbabwe—also runs an online platform to support individuals whose data has been abused.

    President of CDP Senegal, Ousmane Thiongawe reiterated the commission’s role as the sole authority responsible for authorising data collection and transfers by companies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and government entities.

    “Before any entity gathers or transfers data outside Senegal, they must seek CDP’s approval,” Thiongawe said.

    He noted that in cases of data breaches, the CDP engages with affected companies to assess damages and find solutions.

    Thiongawe stressed that data protection principles in Senegal aligned with global standards, ensuring consistency with frameworks in countries like Nigeria.

    “Whether in Senegal, Nigeria, or elsewhere, we operate on the same basic principles,” he added.

  • Flying Eagles beat Senegal, advance to U-20 AFCON semifinals

    Flying Eagles beat Senegal, advance to U-20 AFCON semifinals

    Nigeria’s U-20 national team, the Flying Eagles, have booked their place in the semifinals of the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations and secured qualification for the FIFA U-20 World Cup following a tense penalty shootout victory over Senegal.

    The quarter-final clash ended 0-0 after regulation and extra time, with both sides unable to find a breakthrough despite several chances.

    Read Also: AFCON U-20: Flying Eagles need prayers to beat Senegal, says Manu Garba

    In the ensuing shootout, Nigeria held their nerve to convert three penalties, while Senegal managed just one.

    The hard-fought win not only propels the Flying Eagles into the last four of the continental tournament but also guarantees their spot at the upcoming FIFA U-20 World Cup, adding another milestone to their proud youth football legacy.

  • BREAKING: Shettima heads to Dakar to represent Tinubu at Senegal’s 65th independence anniversary

    BREAKING: Shettima heads to Dakar to represent Tinubu at Senegal’s 65th independence anniversary

    Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja for Dakar, Senegal, where he will represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the West African nation’s 65th Independence Anniversary celebrations.

    Senegal marks its Independence Day on April 4 each year, commemorating its liberation from French colonial rule in 1960.

    The annual celebration is a significant event featuring national parades, cultural displays, and ceremonies highlighting the country’s achievements and unity.

    A statement issued on Thursday by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, said Shettima’s participation followed an official invitation from Senegalese President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye.

    This underscored the strong diplomatic and economic ties between Nigeria and Senegal.

    The two nations share longstanding relations, particularly within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), fostering cooperation on regional security, trade, and development initiatives.

    Read Also: Shettima returns to Abuja after Eid visit to Maiduguri

    The main Independence Day event is set to take place at the Place de la Nation in Dakar, where President Faye will host Vice President Shettima alongside other distinguished guests from across Africa and beyond.

    The event is expected to reaffirm Senegal’s commitment to democratic governance and regional cooperation.

    Vice President Shettima is scheduled to return to Nigeria immediately after the one-day celebrations, continuing his engagements in national development and diplomatic outreach.