El Hadji Diouf without mincing words : “These two are the worst coaches”

In an interview with the Senegalese press, El Hadji Diouf, the two-time African Ballon d’Or winner, opened up about his memories of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

With his characteristic frankness, El Hadji Diouf didn’t shy away from any questions, sharing his thoughts on standout players, unforgettable stadiums, and experiences with notable coaches.

When asked about the player who impressed him the most, Diouf didn’t hesitate to name Jay-Jay Okocha. “I loved his way of playing football, his technical skills. He was a phenomenal player,” he declared. He also praised Bocandé’s personality, highlighting his behavior and approach, admitting that he dreamed of being like him because of his character.

Regarding the most challenging opponents to face as a striker, Diouf gave praise to Rigobert Song. “A constant and very present defender, even if I tried dribbles or attempted to humiliate him, he was always focused on the game,” he shared.

Memories of El Hadji Diouf

The football veteran also recalled an unforgettable moment related to AFCON. “The Cairo stadium. The atmosphere was impressive, as players, we had difficulty communicating because of the noise, with 100,000 people present. I will never forget that atmosphere,” he confided.

Diouf had warm words for his club coach, Sam Allardyce, considering him always as a father figure. He also praised Bruno Metsu as his best national team coach, describing him as “class personified” and a big brother. He highlighted Metsu’s dedication to the Senegalese national team despite months without pay.

However, not all experiences were positive for Diouf. He criticized Guy Stéphan, stating that he had dismantled what Bruno Metsu had established in the national team. Diouf revealed disagreements with Stéphan’s methods and the lack of continuity in the national team.

Finally, Diouf emphasized the importance of holding players accountable. He shared an anecdote before a World Cup 2002 qualifying match against Morocco, where despite a night out the evening before, he was in top form on match day. “The essential thing is to achieve your goals, the method doesn’t matter much,” he concluded, emphasizing the need for trust in high-level players.

With these unfiltered revelations, El Hadji Diouf offers a fascinating insight into his emotionally charged and instructive career, sharing memories that will remain etched in the history of African football.

El Hadji Diouf puts pressure on the “Lions”

Senegal, the current African champion, is gearing up to defend its title in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, which will begin in a little over two months in Côte d’Ivoire. El Hadji Diouf, the Lions’ legend with 70 caps and 24 goals, known for his outspokenness, shared his thoughts on Aliou Cissé’s team’s chances with the media outlet Record.

According to the former Liverpool player, it is inconceivable to be the titleholder without being considered the favorite. He asserts that Senegal has the best team, and his current mantra is “back to back.” El Hadji Diouf takes the example of South Africa, which won the Rugby World Cup and won it again, emphasizing that it was because they were the best team.

The two-time African Ballon d’Or winner in 2001 and 2002 believes that to win the title again, the Lions must prove to other teams that they remain at the top of their game. While Senegal is considered the favorite, Diouf acknowledges the presence of outsiders such as Morocco and Côte d’Ivoire and suggests that new teams could emerge throughout the competition. He also highlights that the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations will be the players’ tournament, contrasting with the previous one won in Cameroon, which, according to him, was influenced by leaders who went all out. He thus calls on players to demonstrate that they are not finished yet.