Senegal celebrates Cup heroics

President Wade's good-luck visit to the team last week paid off

Senegal's heroics to win a place at the World Cup Finals prompted riotous joy in the streets of the capital Dakar and throughout the country, and left the country's president itching to get back and join in.

On hearing of the Lions' success, President Abdoulaye Wade immediately cut short an official visit to France and called for his hired aircraft to speed him back to Senegal.

He said: "My deepest congratulations go to the courageous Lions who have made history for Senegal.

"At this time this is the most important thing that could happen to any country and I will join the team and the nation in celebration by reducing the amount of time I was expected to stay in Paris."

Before leaving for France, Wade met the team at an official palace reception last Monday following the 1-0 success over Morocco which set up qualification.

Chartered plane

The president donned star striker El-Hadji Diouf's shirt and ordered a special chartered flight to Windhoek for the team, and that plane will now be returning them to Dakar as soon as possible.

There was one main hero for most Senegalese

Wade added: "I came to Paris with a hired aircraft and I have called for it to come and pick me up fast to head for Dakar. I can't wait to be back."

Celebrations went on without him in Dakar as Independence Square was crammed full of celebrating fans with the colours of the national flag on their shirts, faces and clothing.

One Dakar resident told the BBC, "It's complete madness everywhere."

She said that the whole city was watching the match live on TV and loud cheers echoed around the suburbs as each goal went in.

Deafening noise

But there was an anxious wait at the final whistle because Egypt didn't finish their match for another 25 minutes, so the celebrations had to be put on hold.

"Then, when our qualification was confirmed, there was a deafening noise and children ran out onto the streets, while motorists honked their car-horns and waved flags out of the windows", she added.

A number of wealthy individuals have already come forward with promises of cash rewards for the players and their families.

Before this achievement, Senegal's closest connection to the World Cup was having their world-renowned musician Youssou Ndour helping make the draw for the last tournament in Marseille in 1997.