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By James Copnall, BBC Sport
in Dakar
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Gambian fans clash with soldiers
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Senegal beat Gambia 3-1 to all but ensure qualification for Tunisia 2004,
but the match was marred by off-pitch violence.
Gambian fans clashed with Senegalese soldiers, and hurled bottles and stones
at Senegalese supporters in a clash that lasted almost half an hour.
Senegalese fans responded by charging towards the Gambian section of the
Leopold Sedar Senghor stadium.
Many Gambian supporters were injured, largely by the soldiers, and one
unofficial count put the injury toll as high as 50 people.
Unlike in Kampala, where play was held up for 25 minutes as Ugandan and
Rwandan players scrapped on the pitch, the game in Dakar was not suspended.
There were some unpleasant scenes on pitch however. Senegal's Lamine Diatta was sent off
after sprinting 40 yards to hit a Gambian player, an incident that sparked a
mass brawl.
By that point the Lions were already 3-1 to the good.
Diatta had put them ahead with an early header, and Henry Camara scored his
first international goal since the World Cup with a neat volley.
Then came the turn of the game's best two players to get on the scoresheet.
Gambia's Ebou Sillah, who replaced the suspended Jatto Ceesay as captain,
was magnificent throughout, and his firm volley after an hour gave the
visitors hope.
That was extinguished when El Hadji Diouf, finally displaying all the talent
that made him the 2002 and 2003 African player of the year, slotted home
Salif Diao's perceptive pass.
For Senegal, a point against Lesotho on Saturday will secure qualification
to Tunisia 2004.
Gambia, meanwhile, are licking their wounds on the way back to Banjul.
Senegal: 4-3-3
Sylva; Coly, M Diop, Diatta, Kebe; Diao, B Diop, Faye (S Ndiaye 86); Camara
(Niang 90), Diouf, Fadiga (Diawara 78)
Sent off: Diatta 77
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