Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira said he was incredibly proud of Cheikhou Kouyate and the Senegal national team for lifting the Africa Cup of Nations trophy on Sunday evening.
The Lions of Teranga won their first-ever AFCON title by beating Egypt on penalties after neither side had managed to score during 120 minutes of chaotic action.
Kouyate was part of the Senegal team that lost the 2019 AFCON final 1-0 to Algeria, making their win in Sunday's final even sweeter for the Crystal Palace midfielder and his teammates.
"I'm really pleased, really happy for Cheikhou and for Senegal," Vieira told reporters on Tuesday morning.
"With the generation that they had they never had a chance to win the competition and finally they've done it. You can see the celebration- it's a lift for the nation so I'm really proud of them.
"I haven't spoken to him yet but I know some of the players and staff had him on the phone before so that's good."
Kouyate was instrumental in helping Senegal reach the final and then go on to win the trophy against Egypt in the final. The midfielder played every minute of the group stages for his country as they kept three clean sheets against Zimbabwe, Guinea and Malawi.
He was suspended for the 2-0 knockout victory over Cape Verde but made a goalscoring return to the side in the quarter-finals as he netted in a 3-1 win over Equatorial Guinea.
Kouyate then started both the semi-final against Burkina Faso and the final against Egypt, playing for just over an hour in both games before being subbed.
Vieira, who was born in Senegal but moved to France at the age of eight, set up an academy in his homeland in 2003 to help produce future stars and to promote education among young people in the country
Several members of the Senegal squad at AFCON graduated from Vieira's Diambars academy, including PSG's Idrissa Gueye and Nancy full-back Saliou Ciss, both of whom started the final against Egypt.
"That Diambars institute that we have in Senegal is about using football to promote education," added Vieira. "When you have five players who are AFCON winners it makes us even prouder. We are really pleased and proud.
"I think it's a massive lift for the morals of the people. Having some great examples, really good role models.
"When you look at the team they are wonderful football players but they are good human beings. They are a great example for those younger players.
"We talk about Cheikhou and Sadio Mane a lot because we know them much more and we see them play every week, but they are all good people. It is a fantastic achievement from that group of players and I think to have positive role models like that is good for everyone."
Vieira added that despite AFCON now being over, Kouyate would not be back with Crystal Palace in time for their Premier Legaue clash against Norwich on Wednesday evening.
He told the club website: "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.”
