LIONS OF TERANGA NATIONAL TEAM NEWS

Riots mark the end of Senegal's World Cup Qualifying

DAKAR, Oct 11 (Reuters/Yahoo) - Angry Senegalese fans attacked the country’s soccer federation headquarters on Saturday, smashing windows, after the national team was eliminated from qualifying for the 2010 World Cup by drawing 1-1 with Gambia.

After the draw, which also eliminated the Teranga Lions from the next African Nations Cup, furious supporters set up burning barricades around the stadium and clashed with riot police who fired tear gas and charged them with batons.

At least one person was injured, witnesses said.

Senegal finished third in Group Six of the African zone second round and failed to progress to round three.

The rioters stoned the Senegalese Football Federation building and also torched a bus outside, Col. Abdoulaye Fall of the local gendarmerie said.

Senegal, who reached the quarter-finals of the 2002 World Cup, took the lead in the second half of their qualifying match against West African neighbours Gambia with a goal by Abdou Kader Mangane, which set off celebrations in the home crowd.

But the mood turned ugly when Gambia’s Scorpions equalised through Tijan Jaiteh five minutes from the end.

Fans started tearing down publicity billboards and fencing and threw stones, sticks, bottles, metal bars and debris onto the pitch. Baton-wielding police tried to restore order.

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