Africa 1 Middle East 0 or Africa 1 Europe 0 or Mane 1 Brahim 0 or Mendy 1 Bounou 0 - Congratulations are in Order…

Africa’s festival of football has run its glorious course. From its modest beginnings to a continent-wide spectacle, the Africa Cup of Nations has once again proven why it is the beating heart of our sport and a powerful symbol of unity. Today we honour the champions — Senegal 🇸🇳, the Lions of Teranga — and celebrate what this tournament means for African football and the continent at large.

A journey from nascent beginnings to continental pride

What began as a small, regional competition has grown into a tournament that showcases Africa’s flair, resilience and tactical imagination. Across decades, AFCON has launched legends, settled rivalries, and provided moments that lodge in national memory: the grit of underdogs, the genius of maestros, the collective roar of stadiums where languages blend into one unifying chant. Each edition has carried local stories onto a continental stage, reaffirming that football here is more than sport — it is identity, hope and expression.

This edition: drama, quality and African character

This tournament delivered all the things that make African football irresistible: pace and skill on the flanks, inventive attacking play, disciplined defending, and games decided by courage as much as technique. Hosts and newcomers alike served up surprises. Veterans and rising stars produced moments of sheer brilliance. Coaches adjusted, teams adapted, and the tactical sophistication on show matched the drama of penalty shootouts and last‑minute winners.

Senegal’s triumph: more than a trophy

Senegal’s victory is both fitting and significant. It crowns a nation that has invested in its footballing ecosystem and produced players who combine international experience with deep national pride. The Lions of Teranga showed balance — defensive solidity, midfield industry, and attacking incisiveness — crowned by a collective spirit that refused to yield under pressure. This title is a reward for perseverance and a reminder that African teams can marry local identity with global standards without losing their soul.

Unity through competition

AFCON’s power extends beyond results. For weeks, families, neighbours and diasporas tuned their lives to matches. Rivalries were fierce but temporary; after the final whistle, respect and shared celebration returned. In stadiums and living rooms across the continent, football flattened borders and reminded us of common joys and collective dreams. It is in this shared passion that Africa finds a rare, sustained moment of unity.

Lessons and the road ahead

This tournament also highlighted areas for growth: better infrastructure, improved player welfare, investment in youth development, coaches’ education and stronger domestic leagues. African federations, governments and private stakeholders must seize this momentum to build sustainable systems that keep talent at home, elevate domestic competitions and secure the future of our game.

A call to honour the spirit

Let Senegal’s victory be a clarion call to celebrate every facet of African football — from grassroots pitches to continental finals. Let it inspire investment in academies, stadiums, refereeing, administration and broadcasting so that future generations inherit a stronger, fairer footballing landscape. And let it remind us that when African nations meet on the pitch, we are not merely contesting goals; we are rehearsing unity.

In praise of the beautiful game in Africa

To the players who thrilled us, the coaches who strategized, the fans who sang through rain and heat, the broadcasters who shared the spectacle, and the volunteers who kept the tournament moving — we salute you. To Senegal, congratulations: you have made the continent proud. To Africa, thank you for another edition of AFCON that celebrated talent, tested character, and — above all — reaffirmed that football remains one of our greatest shared languages.

Long live African football. Long live the unity it fosters.