Senegal's President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has awarded substantial bonuses and plots of coastal land to each member of the national football team following their Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) triumph. The rewards were announced during a celebratory ceremony in Dakar on Tuesday night, as thousands of fans welcomed home the Lions of Teranga.
Senegal secured a dramatic 1-0 victory over Morocco after extra time, with the match marked by controversy when Senegal staged a walk-off after a penalty was awarded against them in stoppage time. Morocco missed the spot-kick, and Pape Gueye scored the winner four minutes into extra time. Each of the 28 players will receive 75 million CFA francs (approximately £106,000) and a 1,500 square-metre coastal plot, totalling about £3.1 million.
Additional rewards include 50 million CFA francs and 1,000 square-metre plots for football federation members, 20 million CFA francs and 500 square-metre plots for the Senegalese delegation to Morocco, and 305 million CFA francs in bonuses for sports ministry staff. The lavish payouts come as Senegal grapples with significant national debt, projected by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to hit 132% of GDP by the end of 2024.
The current administration has uncovered billions in debts reportedly undisclosed by the previous government, leading the IMF to freeze a $1.8 billion lending programme and forcing Senegal to rely heavily on regional debt auctions. President Faye told the team: '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.'
This is Senegal's second Afcon title, following their 2021 victory over Egypt, when players received 50 million CFA francs and 200 square-metre plots. The Confederation of African Football had announced $10 million in prize money for the winners of the 35th edition in Morocco.
