By Oumy Gaye
Leicester’s streets and venues were filled with Senegalese flags, music and fireworks as fans gathered to celebrate the African Cup of Nations finale on Sunday(JAN18), turning parts of the city into a late-night hub of celebration.
Crowds gathered at venues including bars The Locker Room and Fat Cats in Leicester city centre, with supporters waving flags, sounding car horns and sharing videos of the celebrations on social media.
Footage on social media from the evening shows fireworks being set off outside venues as fans danced and sang into the night.
Many of those celebrating said the occasion was about more than football, describing it as a moment of pride and unity for Leicester’s Senegalese community.
“It meant a lot to see everyone come together like this,” said one fan who attended the celebrations at the locker room. “We don’t always get moments like this, so when it happens, it feels special.”
However, some fans also expressed disappointment over tensions that followed the match, particularly surrounding Morocco’s reaction during the tournament.
Several supporters interviewed in Leicester said they felt the behaviour shown towards Senegal was disrespectful.
“It took away from what should have been a moment of celebration” said one fan. “Football rivalry is normal, but respect should always come first.”
Others said the situation highlighted the emotional intensity of international tournaments and the strong feelings they can bring out among fans.
Despite this, the overall mood in Leicester remained celebratory, with many choosing to focus on what the result meant for Senegal and African football more broadly.
Photos from inside Fat Cats show packed crowds lifting Senegalese flags above their heads as music played and mobile phone lights filled the room, capturing the scale of the celebrations
“When Senegal plays, Leicester feels closer to home,” said one fan.
