Senegalese supporters have taken over Tangier with confidence and colour as the Lions of Teranga prepare to face Egypt in the semi-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
January 14 has carried special weight for fans dressed in green, with the city becoming a focal point hours before kick-off. For many Senegalese followers, Tangier has felt like home throughout the tournament, reinforcing belief ahead of a decisive clash that offers a place in the final.
“This city has been good to us since the beginning,” said one supporter with a broad smile. “We feel like we are in Dakar.”
From early morning, Tangier Ville railway station turned into a gathering point filled with chants, songs, and animated debate about the match.
Supporters waved Senegalese flags, compared predicted line-ups, and shared optimism about their team’s chances.
The sense of anticipation built steadily as the hours passed, long before the teams were due on the pitch.
The growing crowd created opportunity for local traders. Street vendors lined nearby areas with scarves, flags, and matchday accessories in the colours of both nations. Business picked up quickly as Senegalese fans led the buying.
“At the moment, most of my customers are Senegalese,” one vendor said. “It was the same when they played Mali.”
Egyptian supporters began to appear in increasing numbers as the day progressed. Some arrived in Tangier the previous evening, while others travelled in on matchday morning.
Conversations among them often returned to one theme: the desire for revenge following Egypt’s defeat to Senegal in the final of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.
Despite the friendly exchanges between fans, the competitive edge remained clear. Both sets of supporters understood the significance of the encounter, which revived one of African football’s most familiar rivalries.
The history between the two teams added extra tension to an already high-stakes occasion.
As the city filled with colour, noise, and expectation, the semi-final felt underway long before the first whistle.
In the streets, at the station, and around the stadium, Senegalese supporters carried their belief openly, convinced that Tangier could once again provide the setting for another step toward continental glory.
