Senegal President Abdoulaye Wade has sacked Sports Minister Youssoupha Ndiaye following the national soccer team's 2-2 draw against Togo last weekend that jeopardised their chances of reaching the 2006 World Cup. "The duties of Youssoupha Ndiaye as Minister of State and Sports Minister have been ended," said a Presidential decree on Wednesday. "The duties of Sports Minister are carried by the Prime Minister (Macky Sall)." President Wade took the decision after mounting criticism of the team's performances in the press this week and calls for the sacking of the sports minister, Senegal's coach Frenchman Guy Stephan, and other officials within the soccer governing body, Reuters reported. "Things falls apart," said one headline after the draw with Group One leaders Togo left Senegal third, two points adrift of their opponents on Saturday and a point behind Zambia with two matches left in the race to reach the finals in Germany.
