July 2001 Sport News Headlines

Monday, July 23, 2001 - Web posted at 14:45:33 GMT

Senegal trounce Nam
HELGE SCHUTZ

SENEGAL trounced Namibia 5-0 on Saturday to qualify for the World Cup finals for the first time in its history.

While the Senegalese were celebrating late into the night, Namibian football is at its lowest ebb after a run of dismal performances, with 17 goals scored against them in the last three matches.

Senegal started the riot in the 15th minute when Danzyl Bruwer could not hold a high ball and Papa Thiaw nipped in to put the ball into an empty net.

With Senegalese strikers Thiaw, Henri Camara and El Hadj Diouf tormenting the Namibian defence with their forceful runs, the floodgates soon opened.

Diouf made it 2-0 in the 23rd minute when he latched on to a Thiaw cross and eight minutes later Thiaw grabbed his second goal after a fine run down the right wing by Camara.

A great save by Bruwer denied Thiaw his hat-trick in the 35th minute, but the closest Namibia came to pressurising Senegal's goals was when a Congo Hindjou shot was turned away for a corner, while a Freddie Kauzuu free kick went harmlessly over the crossbar.

Namibia started the second half on the offensive and came close through a Quinton Jacobs cracker in the 51st minute, but four minutes later a Diouf header shaved the upright.

Nico Nicodemus put in a fine run in the 63rd minute but Tony Sylva saved at his feet and a minute later Bruwer did well to save a freekick by Papa Sarr.

Three minutes later Sarr was sent off after collecting his second yellow card, but despite being a man short, Senegal continued to pile on the pressure.

Bruwer pulled off a great save at the feet of Thiaw in the 76th minute, but two minutes later Senegal were awarded a penalty after a foul by Steven Mbaisa on Diouf.

Khalilou Fadiga made no mistake from the spot to stretch their lead to 4-0.

Diouf put in a great run in the 81st minute and when his shot was parried away, substitute Moussa Ndiaye hit the rebound into an empty net.

Bruwer pulled off two more fine saves in the dying minutes of the match from Papa Bouba Diop and Diouf before the final whistle went.

Quinton Jacobs was the pick of Namibia's players, creating several chances with his tricky runs.

There was, however, little penetration up front, while the defence was once again a shambles.

This was the second match in a row that coach Smithley Engelbrecht had experimented with his new-look team, but it was clear that experienced players like Mohammed Ouseb, George Hummel, Ricardo Mannetti and Eliphas Shivute were sorely missed.

The future of Engelbrecht, who stepped into the hot seat after the sudden resignation of Ted Dumitru, is also uncertain.

According to a Kick-Off report, the former coach of South African league champions Orlando Pirates, Gordon Igesund, has been approached by the NFA to coach Namibia.

Igesund, who received several other offers, has, however, not made up his mind yet.

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