Senegal agonizing exit ends Africa’s World Cup campaign

from KARIM KADDOURI in Moscow, Russia
MOSCOW, (CAJ News) – SENEGAL have bowed out of the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) World Cup after a 1-0 loss to Colombia in Russia on Thursday.

The defeat, courtesy of a lone, late strike by centreback Yerry Mina ended
Africa’s contest at the quadrennial event after Egypt, Morocco Nigeria and Tunisia earlier failed to progress beyond the group stages.

However, for Senegal it was the most painful of exits due to the fact that
they were knocked out by having amassed more bookings that rivals for
qualification, Japan, with whom they had a similar record regarding goals
scored and conceded as well as an even head-to-head record.

According to FIFA tie break rules, the qualifying team thus is determined
by fair play conduct, which considers bookings.

Senegal crashed out at the Samara Arena when the failure to defend
setpieces, and lapse of concentration late into the match, returned to
haunt yet another Africa side.

Following the loss at a match attended by about 42 000, the Lions of
Teranga finished third behind eventual Group G winners Colombia and Japan.

Poland finished bottom of the group but exited with some pride after
securing a 1-0 victory over Japan.

– CAJ News