Senegal president lends jet to fans

Senegal football fans will fly safely to Ghana to watch the Africa Cup of Nations.

Abdoulaye Wade
Senagalese president Abdoulaye Wade starts his own low-cost carrier for football fans [GALLO/GETTY]
“The supporters will leave onboard the presidential plane which will do two trips to Ghana on the 21st and 22nd of January,” the ministry said in a statement.
 
With many Africans unable to afford airfares and road transport across dangerous West Africa because of poor routes and banditry, many fans risk missing the opportunity to see their national teams in action.
 
Neighbouring Guinea has cancelled a convoy of buses supposed to ferry fans to Ghana because of concerns about road safety in war-divided northern Ivory Coast.
 
Senegal, who beat Benin 2-1 in a warm-up match on Wednesday, have set up a camp in Tamale to accommodate some 425 fans.
 
The Sports Ministry will provide some money for living expenses for Senegalese who travel to support the national team.
 
Two million CFA francs ($4,469 ) for fans in Ghana, and a total of five million for fans from Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Togo, Benin and Guinea Bissau will be spent.
 
Senegal have never won the Nations Cup but reached the final in 2002, losing on penalties to Cameroon.
 
That same year, the ‘Indomitable Lions’ became only the second African side to reach the quarter-finals of the Fifa World Cup.
Source: News Agencies