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    Who is Victor Gomes? Referee at 2022 World Cup

    THE final World Cup squads are still yet to be announced, but we now know all of the referees who will be involved at Qatar and amongst them is Victor Gomes.The South African is his country’s only representative this winter, after 2010’s hosts failed to qualify for the 20th year running.
    Victor Gomes makes up 39 referees who will officiate at the Qatar World CupCredit: AFP
    Here is the low-down on Qatar’s ‘hero referee’.
    Who is Victor Gomes?
    Victor Miguel Freitas Gomes was born in Johannesburg in 1982.
    Gomes has been a referee in South Africa’s Premier Soccer League since 2008, winning the Referee of the Season award twice in his career.
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    The 39-year-old was appointed an official FIFA referee in 2011 and has since taken charge of some huge international matches.
    Few were more important than the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations final which saw Senegal beat Egypt in a dramatic penalty shootout.
    Victor Gomes refereed the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations finalCredit: AP
    However, Gomes isn’t just known for his decisions on the field. The referee was praised by the South African people and Football Association after rejecting and reporting a bribe to fix a Confederation Cup match between Nigerian side Plateau United and Algerian side USM Alger.
    Following the Qatar World Cup, the highly respected referee is reportedly set to hang up his whistle and retire from football, as per the iDiskiTimes.
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    Chelsea’s £34m summer signing Koulibaly blasts old club Napoli’s president for saying he won’t sign African players

    NAPOLI president Aurelio De Laurentiis has been slammed by new Chelsea signing Kalidou Koulibaly following his comments over African players.De Laurentiis has claimed that he will no longer bring African players to Naples out of fear of losing them to the Africa Cup of Nations.
    Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly left Napoli last month in a £34million dealCredit: Rex
    Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has come under fire over comments he made about African playersCredit: Rex
    And he declared that he will only bring in the players from the continent if they agree not to play in Afcon which takes place every other year in January and February.
    Senegal international Koulibaly missed five Italian top-flight matches earlier this year as he helped his country win the prestigious tournament.
    And the defender, who swapped Serie A for Stamford Bridge in a £34million deal last month, has called on his former employer to show more respect for African countries.
    Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, the 31-year-old was asked for his opinion on De Laurentiis’ views.
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    To which he said: “It’s up to him, if he wanted to say this. But for me the most important thing is to respect everybody.
    “When I played there I was playing also for Senegal. I won Afcon when I was playing for Senegal for Napoli.
    “It’s true it’s difficult for them, but I think you have to respect the national team also.
    “You have to have respect like you have of European national teams.
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    “As captain of Senegal it’s not a good way to speak about African nationality, but I respect what he thinks.
    “If he thinks that, it’s up to him, but I think not everybody has the same idea as him in the club. The supporters don’t think like this.
    “It’s up to him, it’s not an idea of the society or the city, the city is respectful of everything.
    “This world, it’s what he thinks, not what the team thinks or what the city thinks.”
    Koulibaly, who will wear the iconic No26 jersey in West London, asked John Terry for permission to use his old shirt number.
    It will be the first time the number will be worn by any player since the Blues legend left for Aston Villa in 2017. More

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    Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis reveals he won’t sign African players any more over losing them to Afcon

    NAPOLI will no longer sign African players over fears of losing them to the African Cup of Nations, the club’s owner and president has said.Aurelio De Laurentiis declared Napoli would no longer sign players from Africa unless they agree not to play for their nation during Afcon.
    Aurelio De Laurentiis doesn’t want to lose players due to participation at AfconCredit: Getty
    The club’s new policy means they would be less likely to sign former captain Kalidou KoulibalyCredit: Getty
    During a streamed event, the 73-year-old said: “I told them lads, don’t talk to me about Africans anymore!
    “I love them, but either they sign something confirming they’ll back out of playing the Africa Cup of Nations, or otherwise between that tournament, the World Cup qualifiers in South America, these players are never available!
    “We are the idiots who pay salaries only to send them all over the world playing for others.”
    The declaration comes after Chelsea signed former Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly.
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    Koulibaly, 31, signed a deal with The Blues until 2026 in a transfer worth £34million last month.
    The Senegal star, who will wear John Terry’s iconic No26 shirt, captained Senegal as they won Afcon for the first time ever.
    This meant Napoli lost his services for the entire month of January and the beginning of February earlier this year.
    Prior to De Laurentiis’ declaration, Napoli agreed a permanent deal to sign former Fulham midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa who represented Cameroon during Afcon.
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    The club also employ Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, but the 23-year did not go to the tournament last season after the club announced he had come down with a bout of Covid.
    In the Premier League Liverpool lost the likes of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane to Afcon, while other clubs such as Arsenal lost players such as Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny. More

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    Arsenal transfer target Victor Osimhen scores FOUR for Nigeria in Afcon qualifying drubbing of Sao Tome

    VICTOR OSIMHEN demonstrated his value as he scored four goals for Nigeria in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying clash with Sao Tome and Principe on Monday.The striker, 24, opened the scoring as he netted within the first 10 minutes of the game.
    Osimhen is one of the most sought-after strikers in world footballCredit: Getty
    His second, third and fourth then came after half time.
    Moses Simon, Terem Moffi, Oghenekaro Etebo, Ademola Lookman and Emmanuel Dennis also got on the scoresheet in the Super Eagles’ biggest victory in international football.
    Nigeria have now secured six points from their opening two AFCON qualifying games, which has put them at the top of Group A.
    Osimhen continues to be one of the country’s stand-out performers, with 10 goals in 18 senior appearances for the Super Eagles.
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Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}GUNNERS NEWS .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Arsenal ‘convinced’ they can complete Tielemans deal, Jesus transfer HINT
    His consistent form across all competitions has made him one of the hottest properties in world football.
    Manchester United have been linked with a summer swoop, but they face stiff competition from Premier League rivals Arsenal.
    The Gunners are looking to bolster their attack following the departures of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette, and Osimhen has emerged as a top target.
    Reports have suggested that they have already had a £51million bid rejected by Napoli, who are expecting around £85million for the star.
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    Arsenal have also made Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus a priority target.
    The Premier League champions are expecting a reduced fee of £45million for the Brazilian, which increases the likelihood of a potential deal being struck. More

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    Mo Salah out for revenge on Liverpool team-mate Sadio Mane as Egypt face Senegal again in World Cup play-off showdown

    MOHAMED SALAH has vowed his Egypt team will give everything to reach the World Cup – and avenge their agonising African Nations Cup defeat to Senegal.The 29-year-old Liverpool forward will once again go up against club team-mate Sadio Mane in a crunch World Cup play-off against Senegal – with a place in Qatar at stake.
    Mohamed Salah will be looking for revenge on Liverpool team-mate Sadio ManeCredit: Rex
    Mohamed Salah’s Egypt was beaten by Sadio Mane’s Senegal at the Africa Cup of NationsCredit: EPA
    The two teams clashed just seven weeks ago in Cameroon in the final of the African tournament with Mane’s Senegal prevailing on penalties after a 0-0 draw in 120 minutes.
    Egypt, managed by former Manchester United coach Carlos Queiroz, will host tonight’s first leg in Cairo with the return in Diamniadio.
    Salah, who saw his appearances at the 2018 World Cup hampered by injury, said: “We promise everyone that we will give everything to win this match.
    “I don’t want to talk too much about it, because anyone can see the importance of the two matches and God willing, we will win.”
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    Meanwhile Egypt’s assistant coach Roger De Sa reckons a good World Cup is the only thing missing from superstar Salah’s CV.
    And he hopes the Pharaohs’ talisman can ensure that by not taking on all the pressure and responsibility on his own shoulders.
    De Sa said: “All his career is missing is big performances at a World Cup, and I think that is what he is looking to achieve.
    “He does carry the team a lot and maybe he needs to ease that pressure on himself and just play naturally a bit more.
    .css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-1x7hydu{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-1x7hydu::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -0.5px);}.css-1x7hydu::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Football.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
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    “We have talked to him about that, he is a wonderful person and human being. Working with him every day is incredible.
    “Mohamed is a down-to-earth, humble guy, great to coach, and always ready to give 120 per cent.” More

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    Sadio Mane and Senegal stars awarded £64k each and plots of land in Dakar and Diamniadio after Afcon triumph

    SENEGAL’S Africa Cup of Nations stars will all be rewarded with £64,000 EACH and will be given plots of land in Dakar and Diamniadio.Sadio Mane scored the winner in the penalty shootout against Egypt on Sunday, crowning Senegal as Africa’s best.
    The Senegal squad were decorated with the National Order of the LionCredit: TWITTER
    The President has awarded players and staff £64k each for Senegal’s Afcon successCredit: TWITTER
    Players and staff were also given plots of land in Dakar and DiamniadioCredit: TWITTER
    The squad were also given a hero’s welcome as they returned to Senegal with the Afcon gold.
    Fans surrounded the bus carrying the Senegal squad hoping to catch a glimpse of the Afcon victors.
    Police, who were using horses, tried their best to control the excited crowd.
    And now the Senegal squad are set to be awarded money and land to honour their success.
    Senegal President Macky Sall’s twitter confirmed: “The President @Macky_Sall exceptionally decorated the members of the Senegalese delegation to the #CAN2021 with the National Order of the Lion.
    “The players and the technical staff will each receive 50 million FCFA, a 200 m2 plot of land in Dakar and a plot of 500 m2 in Diamniadio.”
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    Hero Mane praised his team-mates for rallying around him after his penalty miss inside normal time.
    He said: “When I missed the first penalty, it was a big blow for me.
    “But my team-mates came to me and said, ‘Sadio, we lose together and we win together. We know you. You have done too much for us – keep on going.’
    “That made me stronger and I think it made the difference when I got the second one.
    “All the boys came to me and said, ‘Sadio, we trust you’, and that gave me more motivation.
    “The trophy belongs to the whole Senegal team – everyone deserves it.” More

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    Carragher slams ‘mad’ decision to leave Salah’s Afcon penalty until last and compares it to Cristiano Ronaldo vs Spain

    JAMIE CARRAGHER has slammed Eygpt’s decision to make Mo Salah the LAST penalty taker in their Africa Cup of Nations final defeat to Senegal.After a goalless draw in normal time, the game was settled in a penalty shoot-out that Senegal won 4-2 following Salah’s Liverpool team-mate Sadio Mane’s match-winning spot-kick.
    The decision meant Salah didn’t get the chance to take a penalty after Mane scored the winning spot-kick
    Carragher has slammed Egypt’s decision to make Salah the last penalty taker in the AFCON final against SenegalCredit: Sky Sports
    Carragher compared the decision to that of Ronaldo’s who suffered the same fate against Spain for Portugal in the Euro 2012 semi-finalsCredit: Reuters
    Salah could only look on helplessly as his Egyptian team-mates Mohamed Abdelmonem and Mohanad Lasheen failed to convert from 12 yards out before Mane slotted home and won the game for Senegal.
    As Salah was down to take Egypt’s fifth penalty, Mane’s sweet strike meant his Reds colleague didn’t even get the chance to score from the spot.
    The pain of Eygpt’s failure was visibly etched on Salah’s face who was reduced to tears following the loss.
    Mane took a break from celebrating Senegal’s emphatic feat with his peers to console Salah – but it was no consolation for the winger.
    And ex-Liverpool defender turned pundit Carragher was incensed by Egypt’s choice to put Salah last on the list – which arguably cost them in the shoot-out.
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    A raging Carragher vented on Twitter after the Afcon final clash: “That is why your best penalty taker should never go fifth.”
    The Kop legend then went on to highlight that Portugal paid the price for making the same decision with Cristiano Ronaldo in the Euro 2012 semi-final against Spain.
    Carragher added: “Mo Salah not taking a penalty for Egypt in a shootout in a final is madness. Also happened to Ronaldo years ago for Portugal v Spain.”
    Portugal agonisingly missed out on a spot in the Euro 2012 finals after Spain dumped them out of the competition following a tense-penalty shoot-out that Ronaldo didn’t participate in.
    Spain scored four penalties compared to the two converted by Portugal.
    And Ronaldo revealed after the tie that Portugal’s manager at the time Paulo Bento had asked him to take Portugal’s fifth penalty – and he agreed to do so.
    But just like Salah, the Manchester United attacker didn’t get the opportunity to take his shot as Spain had wrapped up the tie before then.
    Which is why Carragher’s adamant that countries should pick their best players to take the first penalties instead of the last ones.
    The former England international’s thoughts were echoed by his ex-Kop teammate Dietmar Hamman who chimed in: “Best penalty taker should go first.” More

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    Inside Senegal’s wild Afcon celebrations as Mendy leads players’ chants in hotel corridor before Mane sleeps with trophy

    CHELSEA keeper Edouard Mendy lead Senegal’s dressing room celebrations after winning the Africa Cup of Nations. Mendy had a big part to play in the victory, which came down the penalties, after stopping Mohanad Lasheen’s kick to set the stage.
    Edouard Mendy lead Senegal’s dressing celebrations after winning the Africa Cup of Nations
    Senegal stars celebrate their AFCON win
    The moment the team celebrated on the pitch with the trophyCredit: Reuters
    Sadio Mane poses with the AFCON trophy in bed
    Sadio Mane then converted the decisive spot-kick, leaving Liverpool team-mate Mo Salah heartbroken.
    Mendy uploaded a series of Instagram videos of the jubilant celebrations, as the Senegal side sang their hearts out even in their hotel corridor.
    The keeper is now a Champions League and AFCON winner and was congratulated by a host of past and present Chelsea stars.
    Mane was joined by Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly in posing in bed with the AFCON trophy.
    Ex-Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye and Crystal Palace’s Cheikhou Kouyate also followed suit.
    Koulibaly said after the game: “It was a tough game and a tough tournament. We made it with our team and our power.
    @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Football.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
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    Fans back home in Senegal took to the streets to celebrateCredit: Reuters
    Ex-Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye and Crystal Palace’s Cheikhou KouyateCredit: @iganagueye
    “Our goalkeeper is the best in the world and we win the title. We feel happy. We knew it would be hard to win the Africa Cup of Nations but today we made it.
    “Our team deserved to win this title. We had been looking for this for a long time and now we have it. This team is magnificent.”
    Mendy added: “We are proud. We never won it before.
    “We worked really hard to win this trophy and today we won as a group and as a country and that is why I am super proud.
    “The shooters in the penalties did really well, I tried to do my best to save one shot and I did that, so I am super happy.”
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    Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly with the trophy More