Senegal celebrates win for African game

Updated: Tuesday June 11, 2002 05:51 a.m. ET

DAKAR (Reuters) -- Relieved Senegalese supporters took to the streets on Tuesday to celebrate after watching their side scrape through to the second round of the World Cup.

"This qualification is steeped in pain," said Ousmane Ndiaye, one of hundreds of flag-waving youths who swarmed on to one street after the final whistle in their 3-3 draw with Uruguay.

The celebrations were noticeably less enthusiastic than the outpouring of national pride 11 days ago when the team, playing in the World Cup finals for the first time, beat reigning champions and former colonial rulers France in the opening game.

As Senegal went 3-0 up against Uruguay in the first half, shouting and tooting car horns echoed through the streets of the capital Dakar amid expectations of a stunning victory.

Most fans clearly thought it was all over at halftime and hundreds turned out of their houses and cafes to celebrate during the break.

But Uruguay came back with energy, Richard Morales scoring within 18 seconds of the restart. Two more Uruguay goals before the full-time whistle cranked up the tension in Dakar as fans saw their qualification hanging in the balance.

In Ali Baba's fast food cafe some fans were almost in tears, barely able to watch the closing minutes of the match.

A 90th minute attempt on goal could have seen Uruguay go ahead and snatch Senegal's place in the second round, but fans let out a gasp of relief as Lamine Diatta blocked the shot.

After the whistle, supporters in Dakar lamented their team allowing a 3-0 scoreline to drain away but were upbeat nevertheless.

"Even so, it's a historic qualification," said fan Abdoulaye Diop.

"We played pretty badly in the second half...but it's qualifying that matters," said Joseph da Silva, a soccer trainer who normally lives in France.

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