sport news World Cup: How far can talent packed Senegal go under legendary skipper Aliou ... trends now
It was Pele who once erroneously said that an African team would win the World Cup by 2000.
As good as he was in front of goal, the Brazil legend isn't known for his accurate football predictions, and over 20 years on from that deadline we are still waiting for a team from the continent to even reach a final.
Yet, Pele's underlying point wasn't totally wild. African teams had hardly made a dent in a World Cup up until Italia '90 but during that summer Cameroon became one of the feel-good stories of the tournament.
Senegal's 2002 team are one of the most remembered sides in the history of the World Cup
They beat world champions Argentina then came a whisker away from setting up a semi-final with West Germany before a couple of late Gary Lineker penalties dragged a sloppy England through to the final four instead. The take home message - African football had arrived on the world stage.
The continent has tended to have at least one competitive side ever since and 20 years ago it was Senegal's time to shine with a similar impact to Cameroon.
Having never qualified for a World Cup, they were sent out for the opening game of the Korea/Japan tournament in 2002 as red meat for reigning European and world champions France - who were also favourites once again to go all the way that summer.
Senegal stunned the world when Papa Bouba Diop's goal saw them defeat France in 2002
His celebration was just as memorable, dancing around his match shirt with team-mates
That script was soon sent into the shredder when a then unknown side shocked the world with a famous 1-0 win in Seoul thanks to a solitary Papa Bouba Diop goal after just 30 minutes - leading of course into his memorable celebration of dancing around his match shirt at the corner flag with his team-mates.
A one-off? Not quite. In the next game against Denmark they came from behind to secure a draw thanks to one of the goals of the tournament when a slick counter attack that started from their own penalty area combined four passes in just 14 seconds to tear through the Danes, allowing Salif Diao to roll a finish into the bottom corner.
Needing a draw in the final group game against Uruguay to progress, a goal from Khalilou Fadiga and a brace from Bouba Diop left them 3-0 up at half-time. Uruguay eventually fought back to secure a draw but it ensured Bruno Metsu's side would extend their fairytale run into the last-16 as group runners-up behind Denmark.
There they met Sweden, who had edged out England on goals scored, but again faced a set-back when Henrik Larsson fired the Scandinavian side ahead.
Senegal's second game at Japan/Korea against Denmark saw Salif Diao (pictured above after scoring) net one of the best goals of the tournament
After progressing to the last-16, Senegal then defeated Sweden to book a superb quarter-final
The Senegal team were led by Bruno Metsu
Yet more Senegal World Cup heroes were being created every game, with Henri Camara equalising in the first half before going on to score a golden goal in extra time that secured instant victory and the stunning notion of a World Cup quarter-final in the country's debut appearance at the tournament.
The door was open for a sensational semi-final as another surprise package stood in their way of the final four in the shape of Turkey.
However, despite another battling performance at the Nagai Stadium in Osaka, this time the golden goal went against them as four minutes into extra-time substitute Ilhan Mansiz sent the African side packing with the game's only strike.
Losers on the day of course, but from entering the tournament as expected cannon fodder to France, Denmark and Uruguay they departed as many fans' adopted team of the tournament - and many of the stars that summer soon carved out notable
