Camara scores double for Lions

Striker Henri Camara scored two goals in the space of five second-half minutes to give the Lions an easy win.

African Footballer of the Year, El Hadji Ousseynou Diouf put the Lions in front with a goal from the penalty spot in the 26th minute.

Defender Pape Malik Diop was fouled in the box before Diouf sent the keeper the wrong way.

Senegal ended their group eight campaign with 10 points, which means the last match between Lesotho and Gambia in Maseru in July will be academic.

Senegal were runners-up in the last Nations Cup two years ago in Mali, and they reached the quarter-finals of the 2002 World Cup in South Korea/Japan.

Camara was Senegal's hero at the World Cup, as his golden goal against Sweden sent the Lions into the last eight.

The France-based striker was Senegal's main man once more on Saturday when his shot crept under the goalkeeper for his side's second goal on 66 minutes.

And the crowd went wild when the Sedan forward volleyed the third into the net in the 71st minute.

Lesotho were left to console themselves with dreams of revenge in two years' time.

The Crocodiles from southern African were no threat for the experienced home side, and only managed one genuine scoring chance - a glorious but fruitless move in the 37th minute.

Senegal made it difficult for the visitors throughout, and applied considerable pressure just before and after the half-time interval.

Senegal will now join the two automatic qualifiers for the finals, defending champions Cameroon and host nation Tunisia.