Senegal Become First African Team To Qualify For 2022 World Cup 

Senegal a while ago on Tuesday became the first African team to advance to the last qualifying phase of the 2022 FIFA World Cup finals.

Four straight wins in the ongoing group phase ensured that Senegal team popularly known as Teranga Lions will be among 10 group winners who will compete for Africa’s five tickets next March.

Famara Diedhiou’s hat-trick helped the Lions of Teranga see off the Brave Warriors – who got their only goal through Peter Shalulile - at the Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg.

Heading into the fixture, Aliou Cisse’s men had brushed aside the Southern Africans 4-1 in the reverse fixture held in Thies.

Knowing that a win would send them to the third round, the West Africans began the showdown on the front foot – dominating ball possession and launching numerous attacks.

That paid off in the 22nd minute as Diedhiou headed a delightful cross from Liverpool star Sadio Mane past goalkeeper Lloyd Kazapua.

That lead lasted for just five minutes as the hosts restored parity through Shalulile. Teed up by Willy Stephanus, the Mamelodi Sundowns forward struck a brilliant left-footed shot from the edge of the box that beat goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.

Although Namibia put up a brave performance, they were poor in the final third and they paid heavily for that.

In the 51st minute, Diedhiou put the West Africans ahead as he drilled home a rebound from Keita Balde.

With six minutes left on the clock, the Alanyaspor star completed his treble with Mane supplying the last pass.