The players and coaches brandished their trophy from an open-top bus which inched its way through immense crowds across the capital, winding towards the country’s presidential palace.
As the players travelled the final stretch of their journey along the city’s ocean-side highway, the Corniche, fans walked and sometimes ran alongside the bus, with throngs of people lining the pavements.
Downtown was overcome by a fever pitch of almost deafening noise – revving engines, horns, vuvuzelas and shouting – as the players neared the palace, where they will be officially received.
In the morning, thousands had gathered at the parade’s starting point in Patte d’Oie, a working-class neighbourhood across town, wearing team jerseys, chanting, whistling and blowing vuvuzelas.
All along the route old and young, men and women turned out decked in the country’s green, yellow and red colours, sometimes watching on from buildings and bridges, or even climbing on top of cars and billboards.
Security forces were also present in large numbers, including anti-riot police.
The Senegal team made its way across the capital after arriving on a special flight from Morocco shortly before midnight on Monday, where they were greeted by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and other members of the government.
Senegal won the Africa Cup of Nations when they beat hosts Morocco 1-0 in a dramatic final in Rabat on Sunday. (AFP)
