Bruno Metsu laid to rest in Senegal

Bruno Metsu, the Frenchman who coached Senegal’s national football team during a remarkable run to the 2002 World Cup quarterfinals, has been buried in the West African nation one week after dying of cancer.

Metsu was also the former coach of the UAE team and Al Wasl club.

A funeral on Monday for the 59-year-old Metsu drew a large crowd and was attended by his former players and Senegalese President Macky Sall, who praised Metsu as a “hero.”

Metsu, who converted to Islam and married a Senegalese woman, had asked to be buried in Senegal.

The 2002 World Cup run featured a 1-0 surprise win over defending champion France, one of the biggest upsets in the tournament’s history

Senegal went on to beat Sweden to reach the quarterfinals before losing to Turkey, becoming only the second African team to reach the last eight.