DAKAR, Senegal (AP) _ The Senegal government says it will reward the under-20 soccer squad with over $400,000 for reaching the semifinals in its first appearance at the World Cup.

Senegal President Macky Sall promised the squad and management staff 125 million Central African Francs ($213,000), and the sports ministry said it would match that amount. The players will get around $16,500 each.

Senegal made the last four in New Zealand before losing to Brazil. It was the first time the West African nation reached the finals of the Under-20 World Cup.

Sall said the team’s “remarkable journey” brought honor to the country.

The players returned home to Dakar on Monday, and were welcomed by thousands of people. They met with Sall on Tuesday.