Senegal-Cote d'Ivoire tie abandoned after rioting

DAKAR - Senegal's African Nations Cup tie with Cote d'Ivoire was abandoned on Saturday when riot police fired teargas inside the packed stadium as thousands of fans lit fires and threw objects in protest at the home team's show.

The referee halted the second-leg qualifying match with about 14 minutes to go and the visiting Ivorians 2-0 up thanks to two goals from former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, the second from the penalty spot.

Both teams were then escorted out of the ground by security forces.

It is likely the result will stand but there was no immediate confirmation from the Confederation of African Football organisers.

Victory would send Cote d'Ivoire through to the finals in South Africa in January and eliminate Senegal.

Five or six people were carried from the stadium on stretchers after the rioting while hundreds of Cote d'Ivoire fans were huddled together on the field being guarded by police as clashes continued in the streets outside, said a Reuters eyewitness.

Captain Drogba, who now plays his club football in China for Shanghai Shenhua, had put his team 1-0 in front straight from a free kick early in the second half.

The Cote d'Ivoire beat Senegal 4-2 in the first leg on home soil in Abidjan last month.

Police officers run with shields as Senegalese football fans throw rocks at them at Leopold Sedar Senghor stadium in Dakar, Oct 13, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Senegalese security officials evacuate Cote d'Ivoire's national soccer team players from the pitch at Leopold Sedar Senghor stadium in Dakar, Oct 13, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]