Senegal erupts in joy after dramatic win to take the Africa Cup of Nations

Senegal erupted in joy Sunday night after the West African country’s soccer team defeated Morocco 1-0 to win the Africa Cup of Nations.

Across the capital Dakar, fireworks lit up the sky, horns blared and people of all ages chanted and danced in the streets, dressed in national colors and holding Senegalese flags.

“Our team has shown that it is the best in Africa,” said Pape Ndiaye, a young man waving the Senegalese flag in the Parcelles Assainies neighborhood, a working-class suburb of Dakar.

“It’s a well-deserved victory. The Lions fought like true lions,” he added, referring to the national team’s nickname, Teranga Lions.

Just minutes earlier, Senegal defeated Morocco in the championship game of the Africa Cup of Nations in dramatic fashion. The heated final was played in Rabat, Morocco’s capital.

Pape Gueye scored in extra time for the Teranga Lions to beat host Morocco 1-0 in a chaotic game