Senegal had served notice of their potential before heading to the 2002 World Cup finals by going close to winning the Africa Cup of Nations title just months before.
They had reached their first-ever final but lost to Cameroon on post-match penalties in Bamako in a heartbreaking reversal.
It served, however, only to galavanise their effort for the World Cup, jointly hosted by Japan and South Korea, where they were also appearing for the first time and determined to make their mark.
Under the French coach Bruno Metsu, a popular figure among the players and mentor to many, there was an air of self-belief and conviction that few African teams going to previous World Cups had ever displayed.
But, at the same time, they were not expected to make the impact they did, as they went onto become the second African side to reach a World Cup quarterfinal.
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Senegal were certainly not on many pundits list of potential second round competitors, especially after being drawn in a formidable field in Group A with the holders France, Denmark and Uruguay.
Senegal had the honour of competing in the opening game of the first ever World Cup in Asia as they took on France, in clash filled with historic overtones as the former colonial master went up against the colony. It added a passionate edge to the game with the Senegalese needing no extra motivation as they sought to make their mark against the country where many of them play their club football.
But not even in their wildest dreams would they considered such a shock as the rookies beat the champions 1-0. France were not only World Cup holders but had since added the European Championship to their bow and with the like of Zinedine Zidane leading their side, were among the hot favourites.
They were, however, brought back down to earth with a thud as Senegal won the game with the only goal coming on the half hour mark as El Hadji Diouf’s run down the left and cross inside was met by Pape Bouba Diop, who swept the ball home at the second attempt.
France were left shell shocked after the loss and never recover, finishing bottom of the group and going home in embarrassing fashion.
Senegal followed the win over the French with a 1-1 draw against Denmark and then a 3-3 draw with Uruguay to take second place in the group. They had been 3-0 up against Uruguay but almost let it slip with Alvaro Recoba equalised with an 88th minute penalty.
Senegal’s knockout round opponent was Sweden in Oita, Japan when Henrik Larsson gave the Scandinavians the early lead but the Africans bounced back to equalise through Henri Camara before half-time before winning the game in extra time, Camara again the scorer and the hero.
Senegal suddenly were catapulted into a the role of favourites for their quarter-final against Turkey and the opportunity to become Africa’s first ever World Cup semi-finalists.
It must be seen, with hindsight, as an opportunity lost as the team had a bad day at the office in Osaka as Turkey won in extra time to deny Senegal deserved progress to the last four.