Chelsea News: The country won its first Africa Cup of Nations, giving Senegalese people around the world reason to rejoice.
Following Senegal’s historic AFCON triumph, Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy lead the celebrations. He also added to his remarkable trophy collection, while Sadio Mane of Liverpool sleeps with the cup.
Senegal’s celebrations were in full swing after their historic penalty shootout triumph. Their triumph over Egypt earned them their first ever AFCON trophy.
The historic AFCON triumph
After a tense 120 minutes, the Lions of Teranga won on penalties. Liverpool sensation Sadio Mane avenged his miss from 12 yards after only seven minutes by scoring the game-winning penalty for his country.
The Reds teammate, Mohamed Salah, did not even get to take a penalty in the end. As the game ended 4-2, Salah was consoled by Mane after the final whistle.
Meanwhile, Senegal’s players were ecstatic, none more so than Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. Mendy made a crucial penalty save in the shootout as well as several other crucial saves on the way to the final.
Just six years ago, the Blues goalie, who was crowned the tournament’s best goalkeeper, was without a club and on the verge of retirement as he looked for a new team in France.
On Sunday, though, he was left enjoying his third trophy in less than a year. This added to his ever-growing collection to cap off a spectacular career reversal.
Mendy has won the Champions League, Super Cup, and Africa Cup of Nations in just ten months, as well as individual honours from FIFA The Best Men’s Goalkeeper and UEFA Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year.
Chelsea News: The 29-year-old celebrates victory
It’s no wonder that the 29-year-old was overjoyed as he celebrated with his teammates following the final. Mane, on the other hand, seemed to have had a wonderful night, as he awoke with the trophy in his bed.
After defeating the seven-time champions, Senegal’s head coach Aliou Cisse dedicated the country’s first Africa Cup of Nations title to the country’s people.
He said, “I dedicate this triumph to the Senegalese people.”
Senegal had been hunting this cup for years. And now, will finally be able to add a star to their shirt. Winning the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon means a lot.
Another indication is winning against Africa’s most successful team. Cisse expressed special tribute to his teammates after Mendy saved Mohamed Abdelmoneim’s penalty. This allowed Mane to redeem himself in a 4-2 victory.
They had been working for about seven years; he remarked. Way to go, fellas.
