BBC SPORT | Football | African (original) (raw)

By Piers Edwards
BBC Sport, Dakar

Gambia's draw was not enough for qualification, but knocked out Senegal

Gambians celebrated a national holiday on Monday after President Yahya Jammeh declared the country needed to properly celebrate Saturday's 1-1 draw in Senegal.

Despite missing out on qualification for next year's final round of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations, the Scorpions avoided defeat in Dakar for the first time since 1962 and in the process knocked their neighbours out of both competitions.

"It's a national holiday because of the great performance by the national team," Gambian Football Association (GFA) official Abdou Salam Jammeh told BBC Sport.

"Obviously, we have mixed feelings because things did not go our way in respect to qualifying for the final phase but we are still celebrating nonetheless.

"We knocked out our closest rivals, which is as sweet a result as we could have imagined.

"What's more, given the youthful nature of our team, it shows that The Gambia is coming of age and that the future is bright for our football."

	Even though we haven't qualified, I am happy to get a point and to have eliminated Senegal Gambian striker Ousmane Jallow

The Scorpions just failed to make it through as one of the best group runners-up.

However, the draw meant they finished above Senegal in a qualifying campaign for the first time in their history.

"It was not easy to get a point but I want to thank the Gambian population, especially the president and the fans who came all the way to support us," striker Ousmane Jallow told BBC Sport.

"We have made history for The Gambia and I'm very proud to be a Gambian today.

"When we landed at the airport before the match, the Senegalese told us we were a small country and that they were going to beat us.

"Even though we haven't qualified, I am happy to get a point and to have eliminated Senegal."

The result saw Senegal go out of the World Cup and Nations Cup qualifiers

The Teranga Lions, World Cup quarter-finalists in 2002, were just four minutes away from booking their place in the final round until Aziz Corr scored to earn The Gambia a 1-1 draw.

The point was the least the visitors deserved after largely dominating the Senegalese.

"I am very proud of the way we played, and this is not only my work but the work of the whole team," said Belgian coach Paul Put.

"I am proud to be national coach of The Gambia and I hope I can continue with this team because they have a great future in front of them."

Put's contract is due to expire in May next year, but the GFA will be meeting soon in an attempt to determine his future.

"We recognise the great job that Paul has done since taking charge, and we will be doing our best to hold onto him," Abdou Salam Jammeh added.

Not since 1962, when The Gambia won 3-2 in Dakar, have the Scorpions succeeded in avoiding defeat when playing their neighbours in Senegal.