Ferdinand Coly - unsung hero

Coly is the rock of the Senegalese defence

Strikers El Hadji Ousseynou Diouf and Khalilou Fadiga make most of the headlines in the Senegalese team, but there is one player who does the dirty work at the back and wipes his feet fresh for the next assignment.

Ferdinand Coly is a defender with French side Lens and a big name back home in the streets of Dakar where he has a fan club, but outside Senegal his quality as a player is virtually unknown.

It reflects more credit on Senegal coach Bruno Metsu who brought Coly into the Lions' squad after he went to France to scout for Senegalese players doing well in his native league.

Coly was not a member of the squad at the last Nations Cup, yet when he was going to miss the crucial World Cup qualifier against Namibia last month due to accumulated yellow cards, Egyptians were celebrating.

In the short time he has established himself in the side, Coly has made himself indispensable.

All-round player

That was why there were shaky moments against Namibia when the Lions looked like they could concede crucial goals and ruin their World Cup hopes.

Coly could easily be picked out with his dreadlocks, and also as the player who seems to be everywhere.

He is like a computer programmed to stop the best attackers in the world. He tackles like lightning and overlaps like a world-class striker.

Powerful also in the air, he was denied a vital goal against Morocco in Rabat which would have given Senegal a stunning victory.

His effort crossed the line but the Zimbabwean referee, Felix Tangawarima, was not well positioned and did not give the goal.

But if he maintains his form, the stage is set at the Finals next year for Senegal's unsung hero to really emerge into the limelight.