The former Liverpool and Leeds striker has weighed in his views on the upcoming African tournament.
El Hadji Diouf has backed Senegal to end their Africa Cup of Nations hoodoo by winning a first title in Cameroon.
The West Africans have competed in AFCON regularly since the competition was founded in 1957, but have never won it. Their best record to date is two second-place finishes in 2002 and 2019.
Ending this barren run, though, will take some doing this year. Cameroon will be desperate to win a sixth title on home soil, while reigning champions Algeria are in sound form, and Morocco aren’t looking too shabby either.
That said, Diouf has faith Senegal can get the job done come the AFCON final on February 6 in Yaounde.
“My first favorite is Senegal, who lost last edition final to Algeria, and today we must win,” the former Lions of Teranga star told CAF.
“Anything we do without winning the trophy will be a failure. There are other great teams, and it will be a very tough competition. Perhaps, the toughest in recent years and in a country that loves football. It would be a big football party.”
WIN or LEAVE
2015: Ex-Captain Aliou Cisse replaced Frenchman Alain Giresse as #Senegal coach.
2017: #AFCON quarterfinal.
2018: World Cup group stage exit.
2019: #AFCON second place finish.
2022: Cisse has been mandated to win the AFCON with the Teranga Lions or lose his job. pic.twitter.com/SCV5KwyF7d
— Oluwashina Okeleji (@oluwashina) January 4, 2022
How is the current Senegal squad different to Diouf’s generation?
The two-time African Footballer of the Year was part of the Senegal team that lost the 2002 AFCON final to Cameroon, alongside the national team’s head coach Aliou Cisse.
In his interview with CAF, Diouf cited a lack of experience as the main reason his team lost back then.
But he feels differently about the current generation of Senegal players, with world-renowned stars like Sadio Mane and Kalidou Koulibaly having been a part of the team for several years now.
“The difference between the two generations is that this one has been fortunate enough to have played together for several years, and to have taken part in many Africa Cup of Nations finals,” Diouf said on the differences between his generation and the current one.
“They’ve played at some big clubs and they’re leaders there. Also, they’ve learned how to win. In our time that was not the case, not all of us played for big clubs. I can say that this generation has everything to win the AFCON title now. These players need the support of all Senegalese.”
Senegal begin their AFCON campaign against Zimbabwe on January 10 at the Kouekong Stadium in Bafoussam. Cisse’s men then face Guinea on January 14 and Malawi four days later in Group B.
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