CAIRO: The Senegalese federation expects a heavy punishment from the African confederation after the riot which forced the abandonment of their Nations Cup qualifier against Ivory Coast at the weekend.

Bottles, stones, cans and seats were thrown on to the pitch and fires were lit in the stands after they went 2-0 behind in the 75th minute to a penalty from Didier Drogba.

The Shenhua Shanghai and ex-Chelsea striker thus scored both goals which lifted the Ivoriens into a 6-2 lead on aggregate and sent them towards the 2013 finals in South Africa. His first goal had come  from a 51st-minute free kick.

Players from both Ivory Coast and eliminated Senegal congregated in the centre circle for safety while police used tear gas to halt the trouble. They were then escorted to the dressing rooms before the stadium was evacuated.

Around 300 Ivory Coast fans were then brought from the stands to the middle of their pitch by police for their own protection. No injuries were reported.

 

= = =