Tamale, Jan. 28, GNA - The coach of the Senegalese National Team, Henry Kasperczak has resigned with immediate effect following the team's abysmal performance against Angola on Sunday in their Group D encounter played at Tamale Sports Stadium. Coach Kasperczak tended his resignation to the President of the Senegalese Football Association, Mr Mbiye Ndoye at a press conference at their hotel in Tamale, who accepted it on behalf of the Senegalese Government.

He said: "My mission is to take the team to the finals and win the cup but since I failed I have to step down with immediate effect." Coach Kasperczak cited inefficiency and the lack of a fighting spirit among the players; adding that if he continued as the head the situation would get worse since he had lost concentration. He said he could not afford to further disappoint the people of Senegal in their next match against South Africa slated for Kumasi on January 31. The Assistant Coach Lamine Ndiaye takes over the team in his absence. The Coach said: "As it is now, we have to depend on possibilities and mathematical permutations before qualifying into the next stage, which would give me more pressure to perform and I don't depend on possibilities."

Mr Ndoye expressed regret at the turn of events at a time when there should be unity, perseverance and teamwork to stay focused and win their last group match, which could possibly push them ahead. He wished Mr Ndiaye well in his endeavours and expressed the hope that the Assistant Coach would try his best to ensure victory in the last group match against South Africa. Senegal on Sunday suffered a humiliating 3-1 defeat at the hands of Angola in their second Group D match played at the Tamale Sports Stadium leaving the players and supporters in anguish. Meanwhile a number of sports fans that routed for the Senegalese at the Tamale venue, told GNA Sports that they were surprised and highly disappointed in the resignation of the Coach since they had high hopes for the team to advance to the next stage. 28 Jan. 08