Senegal gets bonuses, country for winning the Africa Cup of Nations

Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has offered bonuses of more than $130,000 and plots of coastal land to each member of the country’s football 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 evening, which saw thousands of jubilant supporters take to the streets to welcome the victorious Lions of Teranga home.

Senegal beat hosts Morocco 1-0 after extra time after staging a walk-off after a penalty was awarded against them deep in stoppage time at the end of the 90 minutes.

After the Senegal players returned to the field, Morocco missed the penalty and Pape ⁠Gueye then won the trophy with an excellent goal in extra time.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Senegal players rode in a bus bearing the words «African Champions» along the coastal road from Dakar towards the presidential palace.

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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 plots of 1,500 square meters.

In addition, Faye said that members of the Senegalese Football Federation would receive 50 million CFA francs and 1,000 square meters of plots, while members of the Senegalese delegation to Morocco would receive 20 million CFA francs and 500 square meters of plots.

He said Sports Ministry staff would receive 305 million CFA francs in bonuses.

SENEGAL is struggling with debt problems

The pledges come as Senegal struggles with debt that the International Monetary Fund said reached 132% of GDP at the end of 2024, after the current leadership uncovered billions in debt unreported by the previous government.

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

The IMF’s new chief of mission traveled to Senegal this week for an introductory visit.

«Dear lions, you have honored the flag entrusted to you. You have honored 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, speaking from a podium in front of the presidential palace.

Senegal won the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in 2021, beating Egypt in the final. At the time, players received bonuses worth 50 million CFA francs and 200 square meters of land plots.

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.

Published on January 21, 2026