Senegal's famous fan

Ndour considers himself the Senegal team protector

By BBC Sport Online's Martin Davies in Bamako

Senegalese singing sensation Youssou Ndour is his country's biggest soccer fan.

His arrival at the stadium in Bamako for the opening Group D game against Egypt was greeted with the biggest roars of the day.

A crowd of 30, 000 packed into the Modibo Keita stadium, many of them from Senegal.

At half-time, the singer-songwriter spoke with the BBC about his love for his national soccer team,'The Lions'.

Ferdinand Coly is my favourite, he is strong and simple and I like that style

Youssou Ndour

He described himself as the protector of the team or as their "guardian angel".

"Sometimes the enthusiasm back home for this team is too much and the players need protection from the pressure," he said.

The singer-songwriter is delighted that his nation's footballers are now putting his country on the map, adding that everyone involved in music and culture back home is behind them.

He also welcomes the fact that a number of the current crop of Lions who were born in France have opted to return to their roots and play for Senegal.

"I think now we have great staff and they follow the players in Europe and when they have the chance, they convince the players to come and pledge their future with Senegal"

Favourite player

He said he talks to the players every time there is a match and he has personal friends in the squad.

He also confessed to having a favourite on the pitch

"Ferdinand Coly is my favourite, he is strong and simple and I like that style," he added.

Senegal's most famous son is so taken by The Lions that he intends commuting between his studio in Dakar and Bamako.

"If things are happening, then I will be back and who knows I will come back and play with my band."