James Copnall BBC Sport Online

The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has announced it has agreed terms with Guy Stephan.

The Frenchman had been hesitating over signing a deal to become Lions coach.

Stephan given two weeks to decide

Now the FSF says Stephan, 45, has said yes, and will sign a deal at the end of November.

FSF communications director Alioune Tall told BBC Sport Online that Stephan's deal will run until 2005.

"He has signed a three year deal, with the objective of qualifying for the 2004 and 2006 Nations' Cups," said Tall.

El Hadji Diouf will now play for Guy Stephan

Stephan has spent the last two days in high-level Paris meetings with FSF president Malick Sy.

Those meetings have been productive, and Stephan is expected to be in place in mid-December.

Senegal have been without a manager since Bruno Metsu left to coach United Arab Emirates side Al Ain after the World Cup.

Stephan says replacing Metsu is a challenge that interests him.

"It is a very tempting challenge," the Frenchman told BBC Sport Online, "because the Senegal team is a very high quality one.

"The team reached a very high level at the World Cup, and the problem is now to stay there."

The Frenchman knows the Lions well, having spied on them for France during the Nations' Cup.

Stephan was part of the France coaching squad at the World Cup.

He was previously manager of French clubs Lyon and Bordeaux.