World Cup quarter-finalists Senegal have been invited to the launch of the African Union (AU) in South Africa next week, a senior South African official told AFP Wednesday.
The official, who elected not to be named, said the invitation had been issued by the African presidents attending the July 8-10 summit in the Indian Ocean city of Durban.
It will see the 39-year-old Organisation of African Unity give way to the AU, which is loosely modelled on the European
Union.
"President Thabo Mbeki was consulted on this and he agreed," said the official.
"It is planned to make the launch a very colourful public event and having the Lions of Teranga there will be very much in keeping with this."
The Senegalese team was the most successful African competitor in the World Cup, beating title holders France 1-0 in the first round.
After their historic first round defeat of title holders france Senegal lost 1-0 to Turkey in the quarter finals.
