Former President John Mahama has congratulated Sadio Mane’s Senegal for emerging champions of the 2021 Total Energies Africa Cup of Nations held in Cameroon.
Senegal on Sunday, February 6, beat Egypt to win their first AFCON title. The Teranga Lions saw victory after Mane scored the winning goal during the penalty shootouts.
Following this feat, Mr Mahama took to social media platform Facebook to celebrate with the Senegalese team.
In a Facebook post, the former President noted that Senegal has persevered all these years and must therefore “enjoy this moment.”
“Senegal made it!! Congratulations. Your wait has been very long but it’s finally here.”
Also, Member of Parliament for North Tongu constituency, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, in a tweet, noted that Senegal worked so hard to emerge as “the better team” at the end of the tournament.
He, however, commended Egypt goalkeeper, Gabaski for his tremendous effort in the finale. Gabaski in the 7th minute of the match prevented Senegal from securing its goal after receiving a penalty when Saliou Cisse was brought down in the box by Mohamed Abdelmonem.
Prior to the game, Mr Ablakwa made known his support for Senegal. He opposed Egypt’s victory so as to ‘prevent’ the team from winning its 8th trophy. He wants Ghana Black Stars to have a chance at catching up with the Pharaohs.
The better team won!
— Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa (@S_OkudzetoAblak) February 6, 2022
Gabaski did his best. https://t.co/JemfUYxhIP
Also in a tweet, Samuel Nartey George stated that Senegal displayed perseverance, tenacity and belief during the entire tournament, thus, “happy for Senegal” and “super excited” for Senegal head coach Aliou Cissé.”
Current Senegal manager, Aliou Cissé won the best manager award in the 2021 AFCON tournament.
So happy for Senegal. Super excited for Aliou Cissé.
— Sam ‘Dzata’ George (@samgeorgegh) February 6, 2022
Perseverance. Tenacity. Belief.?
Aside from celebrating the Teranga Lions, the Member of Parliament, also known as ‘Dzata’, lamented the lack of preparation by Ghana to end its 40 trophyless years after winning its fourth trophy in 1982.
According to him, Aliou Cisse, Khalilou Fadiga, Pape Bouba Diop and a few others who formed the 2002 squad of Senegal have been able to build a winning team 20 years after their participation.
But Ghana, he suggested, has made no progress, therefore, their early exit in the tournament. “What have we done as Ghana?” he quizzed.
The Black Stars were knocked out of the Group Stages by Comoros. The team exited the tournament with just a point.
Meanwhile, Senegal’s President Macky Sall has declared Monday a public holiday to celebrate the national football team’s win at the Africa Cup of Nations.
President Sall will award the team on Tuesday at the Presidential Palace, a public broadcaster, RTS television reported.