ACTUALITE |
17.06.2002
Senegal`s Lions roar for Africa
YOKOHAMA
Not good enough to qualify for the African Nations Cup in 1996 and 1998, Senegal stand on the brink of crowning a remarkable journey from obscurity by securing a World Cup semi-final berth.
A shock 1-0 upset of world champions France, some scintillating football in their remaining first round games and a golden goal 2-1 win over Sweden on Sunday has made the `Lions of Teranga` the talk of the tournament.
Much of the credit for the Senegalese transformation has been laid at the feet of their French coach Bruno Metsu, a footballing free spirit who describes himself as a `white man with the heart of a negro.`
Taking over in October 2000, Metsu immediately galvanised a group of players short on confidence but long on talent.
By using a network of contacts in French football, Metsu and the Senegalese football federation went on an energetic recruitment drive, snapping up Senegal-qualified players plying their trade in France.
The policy paid dividends when Senegal qualified for their first ever World Cup, advancing from a group containing Algeria, Egypt and Morocco.
Qualification was secured with a 5-0 away win over Namibia - a result that prompted a massive outpouring of joy in Senegal.
"In Africa I have found values which have disappeared in Europe," Metsu said.
"In Europe a player will only call you when he`s got a problem that he wants you to sort out. African players call me all the time to see how I`m doing."
So there was no question of Metsu walking out on France when former club Sedan came calling after he had guided the Africans to the World Cup.
"The president of the club called me and said `Bruno, let`s sort out the details of your return`. But I told him `Sorry, I want to stay with my boys and continue our adventure `" he added.
Adored by the Senegalese players, Metsu says he has earned their respect by treating them like adults.
"I can be a cop when I need to be but I find it best to have a relaxed attitude," he said.
Metsu`s protege, African footballer of the year El-Hadji Diouf said Metsu had become something of a father figure.
"I can talk to him about everything - football, life, women," said Diouf.
While Metsu is the man behind the scenes who is credited with uniting Senegal`s squad into a winning blend, it is the Africans` squad of largely France-based players who have caught the eye.
Diouf has already been snapped up by Liverpool, and Salif Diao, the all-action midfielder responsible for scoring arguably the goal of the tournament against Denmark, is also on his way to Anfield.
Diao, who has earned favourable comparisons to France`s Senegal-born star Patrick Vieira, will return from suspension for the quarter-finals, along with Khalilou Fadiga.
There are other jewels in the Senegal squad - captain Aliou Cisse, who will play in the English Premiership with Birmingham next season and Lens` defender Ferdinand Coly among them.p
But despite all the praise and adulation heaped on Senegal, striker Diouf insists his team-mates are not getting carried away.
"There are no stars in the Senegal team," Diouf said. "The star of Senegal is the collective."
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Hits: 1 | Source:Dailysoccer | |
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