Senegal - the newcomers

President Wade celebrates with the team

Anybody who has been following Senegal's campaign in the World Cup qualifiers would not be at all surprised that the "Lions of Teranga" have made it to the finals in South Korea and Japan next year.

There is no shadow of doubt that the Senegalese side that came out of a group that included three former African champions and World Cup participants were the better side.

Consistency was the secret of this historical achievement.

In fact Senegal are not new to causing upsets and surprises.

Team history

After two appearances in the Nations Cup (1965 and 1968), the Teranga Lions had to wait 18 years to beat hosts Egypt in the opening match of the 1986 CAN.

There were scenes of jubilation in the streets of Dakar then, but the celebrations after the triumphant return of the team from Namibia surpassed all imagination.

In 1990 in Algeria, Senegal reached the Nations Cup semi-finals - their best result to date and the team was looking strong.

El Hadj Diouf - 8 goals in qualifying

But any hopes of qualifying for the World Cup Italia '90 were dashed after the chairman of the FA neglected to register the team, rendering them ineligible to play.

Senegal has only really enjoyed success at regional level becoming masters of West Africa's Amilcar Cabral Cup with a record seven trophies.

But that should take nothing away from the Lions who have reached the World Cup for the first time and deserve to be proud of themselves.

The new crop of exciting players brings back memories of the Jules Bocande/Chiernoh Youm era of the 80's.

With strikers like Khalilou Fadiga, El Hadj Ousseynou Diouf and Henri Camara, the Lions have the core of their squad in the French league.

These players are translating their invaluable professional exposure into international success.

Bruno Metsu has done what no other coach has done

Senegal played with confidence, a tough fighting spirit, skill and the kind of pace you would see at the highest level in European football.

In short they have a blend of everything from an agile, smart goalkeeper to the deadliest strikers who can shoot, head and take on their markers with ease.

Some of the credit must go to French coach Bruno Metsu, who for many has elevated himself as the new "white witch doctor" to succeed Phillipe Troussier.

But much of Senegal's success today comes as a result of the hard work of the team's former German technical director, Peter Schnittger, who led them to the Nations Cup quarter-finals in Nigeria and Ghana last year.

However, it took a while for ordinary Senegalese to even dream that a place in the World Cup might be possible.

Road to the finals

It all started with two draws - away to Algeria and then goalless at home game against Egypt.

Khalilou Fadiga is a key player

Thereafter there were problems involving Nations Cup readiness and few were seriously considering getting to the World Cup.

But the draw with Morocco in Rabat changed everything - after that Senegal played with a new vigour and self-belief.

Defeat to the Pharaohs in Egypt in February was a minor blow, but once they kept on winning by demolishing Namibia and Algeria at home, qualification looked an achievable reality.

That was confirmed by the 5-0 demolition of Namibia in Windhoek.

A taste of what Senegal will serve up in Japan and Korea will come next year at the Nations Cup in Mali.

Rest assured that teams all over the World will be watching the Lions of Teranga in case their paths cross in Japan and Korea.