Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has offered bonuses of more than $130,000 as well as plots of coastal land to each member of the country’s soccer team following their victory in Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco.

According to Reuters, President Faye spoke at a ceremony in the capital Dakar on Tuesday night during which thousands of jubilant supporters took to the streets to welcome the victorious Lions of Teranga home.

Senegal beat hosts Morocco 1-0 after extra time, having staged a walk-off after they had a penalty awarded against them deep in stoppage time at the end of 90 minutes.

After the Senegal players returned to the pitch, Morocco missed the spot kick and Pape Gueye then won the trophy with a superb strike four minutes into extra time.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Senegal players rode atop a bus emblazoned with the words “African champions” along Dakar’s corniche towards the presidential palace.

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 1,500 square-metre plots of land.

In addition, Faye said members of Senegal’s soccer federation would receive 50 million CFA francs and 1,000 square-metre plots, while members of the Senegalese delegation to Morocco would receive 20 million CFA francs and 500 square-metre plots.

• President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Patrice Motsepe. (Photo by Phill Magakoe AFP).

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has clarified that the decision by the body to be hosting the Africa Cup of Nations from every two to four years wasn’t influenced by the FIFA.

The decision was announced last month and drew heavy criticisms, with several African football personalities alleging that it was a measure forced upon Africa by FIFA, whose president Gianni Infantino had six years ago advocated that the Cup of Nations be played four-yearly rather than every two years.

However, the CAF’s President, Patrice Motsepe, dismissed the allegations of undue influence from FIFA, emphasising that they would go ahead with the Cup of Nations every four years after 2028, plus introduce an African Nations League in 2029.

“We didn’t do as good a job at CAF in preparing the ground 1for this AFCON every four years. We must make sure that our everyday people, whom we account to, must understand what we have done is good for them,” Motsepe told a press conference on the eve of the final between Morocco and Senegal in Rabat.

“This is the right decision. We will indeed have a new competition, and it will be enormously successful. African football will be better,” he added.

“We must free ourselves as Africans and have more confidence in ourselves. It should not be about FIFA says this or UEFA says this.

“We can be convinced we are doing the right things, but it is important that everyone on the continent is convinced we are doing the right things, too.

“We have to educate our people on the decisions we have taken. We know that in two to three years, people will see what we are talking about.”

The reason Africa has held its Cup of Nations every two years while other confederations play their championship every four years is that the tournament’s revenue used to provide about 80 per cent of CAF’s budget.

However, Motsepe said: “The revenue of the AFCON is significantly less than the revenue we have generated for the African Nations League. We are absolutely convinced it will work.”

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has released the full list of winners and individual award recipients.

AFCON 2025 Full Winners List

Champions: Senegal

Runners-up: Morocco

Third place: Nigeria

Fair Play Award: Morocco

Despite losing the final on home soil, Morocco also received the Fair Play Award for their conduct and discipline during the tournament.

Best Player of the Tournament: Sadio Mané (Senegal)

Sadio Mané was named Player of the Tournament after leading Senegal to the title, scoring two goals and playing a key role throughout the competition.

Best Goalkeeper: Yassine Bounou (Morocco)

Top Scorer: Brahim Diaz (Morocco)

Morocco’s Brahim Diaz finished as the tournament’s top scorer with five goals from seven matches, while goalkeeper Yassine Bounou claimed the Best Goalkeeper award following a series of decisive performances.

The 2025 AFCON delivered moments of drama, controversy and standout performances, bringing the continental competition to a memorable close in Rabat.