From our special correspondent in Yamoussoukro – A colorful yellow, red and green costume, a hat representing Senegal in miniature, two large lion heads and a war cry that has become the rallying point of the African champion team in 2022… Paco is one of the very recognizable supporters of the Lions of Teranga. France 24 followed him on a match day at CAN 2024.
“Senegal rek!” (Senegal only!). It is the war cry that has become that of a victorious Senegal on the African continent. And at the origin of it, there is Paco, the mascot of the Lions of Teranga who popularized Youssou N’dour’s catchphrase in the stadiums.
This ball of energy and good humor accompanies the Senegalese national football, basketball, handball and athletics teams on their travels whenever he can. If, for CAN 2024, he joined Ivory Coast late due to a visa problem, he is now there to encourage the Lions of Teranga to win a second consecutive champion title.
Everyone knows Paco
The morning we meet him, Friday January 19, his joy is palpable at finally being there. While the lobby of the President Hotel in Yamoussoukro buzzes with agitation a few hours before the Lions clash between Senegal and Cameroon, Paco arrives with a big smile on his lips. While waiting to collect his places for this major Group C meeting with the Confederation of African Football (CAF), he greets everyone. From the players’ families to Senegalese legends Fadiga or El-Hadji Diouf, everyone knows who he is.
However, at that time, he was not even wearing his mascot outfit yet. He leaves the mosque. But under the white prayer dress, we can discreetly see his green Teranga Lions jersey – proof, if any were needed, that Senegal remains permanently close to his heart.
In town, Paco is Aliou Ngom, sports presenter and cultural assistant at Gaston Berger University (UGB) in Saint-Louis. It was by supporting the local basketball team that he got noticed and was poached by the 12e Gaindé, the most famous group of supporters of the Lions of Teranga, in 2012.
Friend with Kalidou Koulibaly
“We often pay for our tickets ourselves, it’s a real commitment. We also appeal to goodwill,” he explains. Among the latter, he cites the former Lions basketball pivot, Gorgui Sy Dieng, but also the captain of the football team Kalidou Koulibaly, who became his friend over the years. He even visited him in Naples, in his old club, then in his new one: Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia. For this CAN, Paco benefited from a helping hand from the Ministry of Sports, whom he does not miss an opportunity to thank. With the precious sesame in his pocket, he took on board his companion “Mr. Fall”, standard bearer of the Senegalese.
Friday, on the way to the Senegal match, fans of the Indomitable Lions recognize them, they start a song to gently tease them: “Cameroon in the sauce! Cameroon in the sauce!”
From the words of the two men, they form a well-established duo: the mascot and the standard bearer. Paco and “Mr. Fall”. The friends have known each other for years. They took on the role of two legendary Lions supporters: “Ndiaye Flag” and Thiam 12th Gaindé” whom they call their “fathers” and whose memory they maintain.
“The flag bearer and the mascot are inseparable. He’s my partner, he’s my twin. We arrived at 12e Gathered together”, summarizes the standard bearer, more taciturn than his “brother” but with a smile just as communicative.
Indeed, once started, Paco never stops. He can talk for hours about his pride in being Senegalese, about the importance of encouraging his national team whatever the sport and especially about the honor given to him to be elevated to the rank of mascot.
“What binds us is the homeland, it’s the flag, it’s the national anthem. We don’t support people but a country,” he explains.
A hat, miniature from Senegal
Their taxi taking them to the match ends up leaving the main tarmac streets of Yamoussoukro to take a track in a peripheral district of the capital. He stops at the Anderlecht hotel where Paco has established his quarters, his “HQ”. If at the moment there are only seven of them crammed into a room, the group of supporters plan to be more than a hundred for the rest of the competition.
It’s finally time to ditch the civilian outfit. Paco and “Mr. Fall” lock themselves up for a few moments and return with their supporters’ clothes. For the standard bearer, a military uniform adorned with pine trees to the glory of Senegalese football and basketball. For Paco, clothes in the colors of Senegal, two lion heads and a hat so every detail is carefully thought out.
“It’s a miniature Senegal that I designed, thought about and made,” explains the mascot. “The hat represents agriculture, it is worn in the fields. This boat symbolizes fishing, fast buses, Senegalese transport, there are boxes and there are also glasses which show that Africa must open its eyes “, he lists.
“Senegal rek! It’s Senegal only! There is nothing other than Senegal! It’s a concept that I created and that I shouted in stadiums all over Africa, Europe and Asia,” he continues before intoning. “Basically! Absolutely! Exactly! Legally! Absolutely! Sincerely! Honorably! “We are the REAL LIONS! RRRREK,” he declaims, yelling the last words, setting off a yellow, red and green whirlwind in front of the hotel. “Paco”, “Mr. Fall” and their five companions sing a long song while dancing to get into the voice.
Senegal will win the CAN, predicts Paco
The fact remains that “Paco” has had a heavy heart for several months. The link weakened with the 12the Gainde, whom he accuses of serving interests other than those of the Lions of Teranga. The dispute even degenerated into aggression in September, on the sidelines of a friendly match between Senegal and Algeria. Which explains why, from now on, “Paco” and his friends stand apart.
The walk to the stadium is joyful despite the long kilometers. “Paco” is also forced to stop constantly. Lots of kids and fans recognize him and want a photo with him. He plays the game patiently, even if it means being late for the start of the match.
For the CAN 2024, the Senegalese is optimistic for a good reason: “In 2022, for my first CAN as a mascot, I said on France 24 that we were going to win it. So I’m saying it again and we’re going to win this one. -there too.”
Will his prediction come true? What is certain is that that day, Senegal demonstrated against Cameroon that it was a very serious candidate for the title with a convincing 3-2 victory. To the great pleasure of Paco.
