Vieira: Senegal’s AFCON triumph will always be remembered

Club

7 Feb 2022

Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira has shared his congratulations with Senegal and Cheikhou Kouyaté after the Lions of Teranga won the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time.

Kouyaté and his compatriots overcame Egypt on penalties on Sunday night, with the Palace No. 8 playing 65 minutes. It is the first time they’ve lifted the AFCON trophy, and was their second final in a row.

Speaking on Monday, Vieira said: “I’m really happy for Cheikhou and for Senegal. We are talking about a big nation of football who managed to win its first Africa Cup of Nations. Senegal have had some wonderful generations of players and this is the first time they managed to win it.

“This is something people will always remember – the first generation to win AFCON. It is a really proud moment for Cheikhou and the rest of the players and they achieved something bigger than what they think it is.

“The first one people will always remember. The country, when you look at the way they celebrate, it’s happiness. ‘Finally, we get what we deserve,’ that’s what people have been saying. This is a proud moment he has to enjoy.”

Vieira say he has every intention of letting Kouyaté enjoy the moment, stressing the importance of savouring this achievement. He also confirmed Kouyaté’s next steps, and gave an idea of when he might return to club action.

“We’ve been talking with a couple of messages. Hopefully I can get through to him for him to get back for the rest of the season! It’s time for him to really enjoy it because the nation was waiting for that for quite a long time.

“When you win a competition there are these protocols to do with Senegal and I want him to enjoy it – that moment. I will then give him a couple of days off because he’s been playing games in really difficult conditions. But the plan is for him to be back the week before the Chelsea game.”

Born in Senegal and having spent the first eight years of his life there, Vieira has a close connection with his country of birth. He founded the Diambars Institute in 2003 to support promising Senegalese footballers in their education and careers, and was able to watch Idrissa Gueye, a Diambars graduate who today represents Paris Saint-Germain, compete alongside Kouyaté.

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The manager shared a taste of how the Senegalese have reacted to victory, and what it means for the country:

“I’ve got family, and still have friends out there and have been receiving videos. It’s celebration time [for Senegal].

“People are in their cars, celebrating in the street. People are getting together and these moments bring people closer together. It’s doesn’t matter about the differences, the religion and this is why football is important. It’s is a proud moment for Senegal.

“I think when the country comes together like that and wins an important competition it brings people together. That’s why I think football is the best tool to bring people together. In that moment people forget their religions, differences, colour of skins and come together as one. That’s what football does for the country.”

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