Ecstatic crowds greet Senegal team on return home after winning Africa Cup of Nations

Senegal football team arrived home on Monday after winning the Africa Cup of Nations, welcomed by hundreds of thousands of ecstatic and chanting fans, AFP journalists saw. Massive crowds of supporters descended on a military airport in the West African country's capital Dakar, blowing vuvuzelas and waving flags, to celebrate the victory. President Macky Sall was waiting at the airport to greet the returning players, who then paraded through thronged streets sitting on top of a bus, on their way to the presidential palace.

Read AlsoSadio Mane scores winning kick as Senegal beat Egypt to win Africa Cup of Nations

Sadio Mane made up for missing from the spot in normal time to score the decisive penalty as Senegal overcame Mohamed Salah's Egypt 4-2 in a shoot-out to win their first Africa Cup of Nations title after Sunday's final finished goalless at the end of extra time.

Led by Liverpool star Sadio Mane, Senegal overcame Mohamed Salah's Egypt 4-2 in a penalty shoot-out in Sunday's final in Cameroon. The game had finished goalless after extra time. The victory marked Senegal's first success in the tournament, and sparked jubilant celebrations across the capital city of three million people on Sunday evening which continued on Monday. The government had declared Monday a public holiday in order to celebrate the occasion. "This is an unforgettable moment that will last forever," said Die Mbaye, a 17-year-old school student near the presidential palace, who was scarcely audible above the shouts of supporters.

Sporting a Senegal jersey, and with a flag sticking from her hair, Mbaye added: "We deserved it, we have been waiting for 60 years." Mamadou Bocoum, a 24-year-old student standing nearby, was equally enthusiastic. "Our