Senegal has become the first nation to make to the African World Cup qualifiers play-off round after beating Namibia 3-1 in a match played at Orlando Stadium.
A hat-trick from Famara Diedhiou gave Teranga Lions the three points that takes them six points clear in Group H ahead of Namibia with two matches remaining.
Senegal troubled the Brave Warriors immensely early on with a shot outside the area from Sadio Mane forcing a solid block from Lloyd Kazapua.
Brave Warriors full-back Charles Hambira looked to get one over Lions with a snap-shot from a tight angle before the half-hour mark, but Ediardo Mendy gathered.
Senegal began to show dominance as Keita Balde nestled the post with a low attempt which the visitors cleared for a corner-kick.
From the corner, the opening goal followed as towered over a static Namibia defence to head into the bottom-corner of Kazapua’s goal.
Namibia managed to level matters five minutes later, as Peter Shalulile slotted home for his third of the campaign.
A minute after the halftime break and Sahlulie should have scored his second for Namibia, however he managed to direct his header wide of the target.
The Teranga Lions looked for renewed momentum in the second half, whilst the Brave Warriors continued to see a lot of the ball and passes to one another.
Senegal went ahead on the 52nd minute from a rising header in the area by Diedhiou, with Kazapua well beaten.
Idrissa Gueye cracked a goal-bound shot from range for Alliou Cisse’s on the hour-mark but was denied by Kazapua, who was once again on hand to make the save.
Namibia were resorting to long-range strikes with 15 minutes left to play although they struggled to find the target with their attempts.
In the end, the Teranga Lions landed a third goal eight minutes from time as Diedhiou played a one-two with Balde, who took one touch before firing past Kazapua.
