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DAKAR, June 11: Senegalese football fans let rip with glee Tuesday after the national side drew with Uruguay and went through to the next round of the 2002 World Cup.
Celebrations had begun in the capital, Dakar, at half-time, with jubilant fans taking to the streets as the their side led Uruguay 3-0.
But as the battling Uruguayans drew their side level with the Senegalese in the second half, an eerie silence fell over the capital and fans wondered if their celebrations had not been slightly premature.
“We were scared,” admitted one young fan brandishing a green, yellow and red Lions’ scarf in the streets of Dakar after the final whistle blew with the two sides at three goals.
With a draw enough to push Senegal through to the next round of the World Cup, fans throughout the west African nation heaved a sigh of relief and resumed their raucous but good-natured street celebrations with a cacophony of car horns sounding in the midst of a sea of green, yellow and red national flags.
“It’s a real feat,” one mother in Dakar said of the success of the Lions, the national team’s nickname, in reaching the second round after the 3-3 draw with the South American side.
With her four children, all clad in green, yellow and red Lions’ jerseys, she watched as hordes of joyous youths marched towards the presidential palace to share their glee with President Abdoulaye Wade.
“It’s great, I hope we go to the final,” Wade told the cheering crowd.
“I’m convinced the Lions still have a few surprises up their sleeves,” he added, and the celebrations went up a few decibels.
“Senegal! Senegal!” the fans chanted, almost in disbelief, as their team forged ahead in the competition.
The good news came just minutes after France was kicked out.
“We’re on our way to play England or Argentina, and that will be a great match,” said Ndiaye, a self-described football expert whose day job is as a maintenance and security man in an apartment block.
“Senegal will go far,” he said prophetically, adding, “It’s sad for the French, all the same.”—AFP
