October 13, (THEWILL) – After a 3-1 victory over second-placed Namibia, Senegal became the first side to qualify for the final qualifying round of the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup. With two rounds of group matches remaining, Famara Diedhiou scored a hattrick that put Senegal eight points ahead of Namibia.
In the 22nd minute of the Group H fixture, Diedhiou broke the deadlock as he rose unmarked within the box to head home Sadio Mane’s well-weighted cross.
However, the hosts, who play their home matches at the Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, equalised five minutes later when Mamelodi Sundowns striker Peter Shalulile hit a superb left-footed drive from the edge of the box.
Despite their valiant efforts, Namibia lacked the creativity required in the final third. Mane could have given the visitors the lead again but he failed to volley the ball on target after the keeper’s save off a Keita Balde attempt dropped on his path.
Senegal increased their lead six minutes into the second half, with Diedhiou scoring his second of the day with a header after Saliou Ciss’s left-wing cross found him unmarked inside the box.
Namibia came close to equalising once more, but Katjiteo Wesley’s powerful header went over the bar with Senegalese keeper Edouard Mendy well beaten.
Six minutes from time, though, the Teranga Lions solidified their triumph when Mane and Diedhiou linked once more, the Liverpool forward slicing a low cross from the right that was greeted with a simple tap in by his teammate to ease their passage to the final qualifying round.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
