"African champions. What a game! What a team! You did it. Beautiful moment of football, beautiful moment of communion and national pride. Congratulations to our heroes," Senegalese President Macky Sall tweeted after the Lions' win Sunday night.

Sall declared Monday a national holiday to celebrate the "brilliant victory", public television announced.

The president, who had been due to visit Comoros at the end of a trip that included Egypt and Ethiopia, also canceled the last leg in order to welcome the triumphant Lions on their return to Dakar at 1 p.m. local time on Monday, RTS television said.

Dakar erupted when Liverpool star Mane scored the decisive penalty to give Senegal the win in a 4-2 shoot-out after the final finished goalless at the end of extra time.

Hundreds of supporters in Senegal jerseys flocked to Independence Square, near the Presidential Palace in the heart of Dakar, to celebrate.

The square vibrated to the sound of car horns, vuvuzelas, whistles and firecrackers.

A festive atmosphere spread across the capital, with national flags hung from buildings, on vehicles and sidewalks.

At the massive African Renaissance Monument which towers above the capital from a hill overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, dozens of fans hugged each other amid bonfires after the penalty shoot-out.

"I'm happy. It's the best day of my life," 25-year-old Modou Ba, a car washer, told AFP.

"We waited a long time. [The cup] is finally here. We really needed it," said Seydou Nourou Diop, a 27-year-old accountant.

Student Khadim Lo, 21, said he was "very proud of our Lions. It's exceptional."

At the foot of the monument, supporters then left the fanzone to reach the street, some standing on cars and mingling with the crowds coming out of their homes to celebrate.

Earlier, the tense shoot-out saw some anxious supporters in tears and even unable to watch the screen, Mane having missed a penalty during normal time, his shot saved by Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed Abou Gabal.

"He must not miss the penalty. For a final the great player does not miss. It's unacceptable," fumed Pape Mbaye, a 24-year-old driver.

The crowd started to relax as two Egyptian shots missed the mark.

They finally exploded with joy after Mane converted the last shot to make Senegal African champion.

 

World Cup revenge

Meanwhile, Salah's Egypt is hoping to avenge its defeat when the countries meet again in a decisive two-legged World Cup play-off in March.

Mohamed Abdelmonem and Mohanad Lasheen both failed to convert their penalties, meaning Salah did not get the chance to step up before Mane converted the winning kick for Senegal to give them its first ever AFCON crown.

"We will pick ourselves up from this. Today we were not able to win but we will be better next time," said Abou Gabal, who was named man of the match after saving a Mane penalty in the seventh minute.

The 33-year-old, who carries his nickname Gabaski on the back of his shirt, also saved from Bouna Sarr in the shoot-out but his efforts were ultimately to no avail.

Salah appeared to be on the brink of tears even before Mane had converted his penalty as he ended up on the losing side in a Cup of Nations final for the second time in three editions after Egypt was also beaten in the 2017 climax by Cameroon.