Stoke players fail to inspire Senegal

Stoke’s trio of Senegalese international players crashed out of the World Cup qualifiers after drawing 1-1 with Gambia.

Salif Diao, Abdoulaye Faye and Ibrahima Sonko all played a part in the draw in which Senegal had looked like progressing through to the third round until a late strike from Gambia meant they ended up in third place in Group 6.

Tony Pulis will not have been pleased to see Salif Diao play after Stoke City tried to get him withdrawn through injury, but the Senegalese FA insisted that he travel to Africa where he passed a late fitness test and played the first 54 minutes.

There was rioting by disgruntled Senegal fans after the game in scenes reminiscent of Mali’s match against Togo last year when Togo fans rioted after losing to Mali in the African Cup of Nations qualifier which saw Mamady Sidibe injured. This time the anger seems to have directed at the Senegal FA headquarters, rather than the players.