July 2001 Sport News Headlines

Monday, July 23, 2001 - Web posted at 14:40:22 GMT

Senegal celebrates historic World Cup place

DAKAR - Cheering crowds took to the streets of the Senegalese capital Dakar on Saturday to celebrate the West African country's first ever qualification for the World Cup finals.

Thousands of people thronged Independence Square at the heart of the city, some carrying pictures of the national team.

Others drove around on motorcycles or in cars shouting "Yaye Diambar" - "You are heroes" in the local Wolof language.

The country had been on tenterhoooks in the run-up to Saturday's match in Namibia.

As the game kicked off - at the same time as Egypt took on Algeria - Senegal, Morocco and Egypt all stood a chance of snatching a place at next year's tournament in Japan and South Korea.

But Senegal's 5-0 victory in Windhoek put them level with Morocco on points, and comfortably ahead on goal difference, while Egypt managed only a 1-1 draw."

"I am really very proud of this exceptional victory. We have entered a winning era for Senegal," said President Abdoulaye Wade, who came to power in January 2000 after 26 years in opposition, in a televised address.

"I have so much ambition for Senegal to be among the best in Africa," said Wade, speaking during a visit to France which he said he would cut short to join the celebrations back home.

Senegal join Cameroon, Tunisia and South Africa, who had all already qualified from the African zone, with the continent's fifth World Cup place set to go to Liberia or Nigeria after the final round of matches next weekend. - Nampa-Reuters