The Story of Senegal “Lions of Teranga” in FIFA World Cup 2002

The 2002 World Cup, hosted by South Korea and Japan, witnessed Senegal's participation for the first time in its history in the tournament.

The Senegalese team at the time included many distinguished players such as Henri Camara, Khalilou Fadiga, Paba Bouba Diop, El Hadji Diouf, and Aliou Cissé (current Senegal coach).

Under the leadership of French coach Bruno Metsu (who died in 2013).

The French coach managed to lead the Lions of Teranga to a great achievement (which Senegal has not been able to repeat so far) by reaching the World Cup quarterfinals, in addition to providing great performance.

The draw put Senegal in Group A along with France, Uruguay, and Denmark.

Senegal opened its group stage matches against France (the defending champion), on May 31, 2002.

At the World Cup stadium in the South Korean capital, Seoul, and in front of more than 60,000 spectators who filled the stands of the match stadium, the UAE international referee Ali bu Jseem blew his whistle, announcing the start of the match.

Early in the first minute, midfielder Paba Bouba Diop surprised the whole world by opening the result after following a cross from El Hadji Diouf, to announce that Senegal advanced 1-0.

The Senegalese team managed to keep the score until the end of the match, despite the French attempts to score the equalizer.

Detonating a big surprise by defeating the defending champion France, whose squad at the time included many superstar players such as Thierry Henry, David Trezeguet, Bicente Lizarazu, and Lilian Thuram, in the absence of Zinedine Zidane due to injury.

In the second match, Senegal faced Denmark on June 6, 2002. At Diego Stadium in the Korean city of Taeko, and in front of more than 40,000 spectators who filled the stands, the Senegal team managed to impose a draw on its Danish counterpart.

Where the Danish star Jon Dahl Tomasson (AC Milan player at the time) opened the scoring for his country in the 16th minute from the penalty spot before Salif Dayo (Liverpool player at the time) scored the equalizer for Senegal in the 52nd minute.

Senegal concluded its group stage matches against Uruguay on June 11 at Sun Stadium, South Korea in a match that witnessed many goals, Senegal tied with Uruguay 3-3.

Senegal scored through Khalilo Fadega in the 20th minute from a penalty kick, and Baba Bouba Diop scored two goals in the 26th and 38th minutes.

Uruguay's goals were scored by Richard Morales, Diego Forlan and Alvaro Recoba.

Thus, Senegal qualified for the second round for the first time in its history, after finishing second i behind Denmark, the group leaders.

In the second round, the Senegalese managed to detonate another surprise, when they beat Sweden 2-1 after extra time.

Despite Senegal's delay in the result since the beginning of the match, specifically in the 11th minute, with Henrik Larsson's goal.

However, Henri Camara played the hero role and scored the equalizer in the 37th minute, before scoring the golden goal in the 104th minute after a wonderful individual effort, announcing Senegal's qualification to the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time in its history.

In the quarterfinals, Senegal drank from the same cup that Sweden tasted, and lost to Turkey with the golden goal after extra time.

Thus, Senegal's adventure in the 2002 World Cup ends with a historic achievement represented by reaching the quarterfinals.