Blackburn Rovers forward El-Hadji Diouf has announced his retirement from International Football with immediate effect. The announcement has been greeted with scepticism in some Senegalese sporting circles.
“Are we sure that’s it not a joke?” were the words of Ndiawar Ndiaye, formerly of Senegalese outfit ASC Thies, who possibly spoke in reference to Diouf’s reversed decision to leave the national set-up two years ago. Other noticeable Senegalese football people also commented on the situation. “The unfortunate consequence is that our developing team will not benefit from the experience of a few leaders like El Hadji Diouf,”said former Sport Minister Abdoulaye Makhtar Diop. “El Hadji Diouf has embodied the pride of the Senegalese, even if the team has lost ground,” former Senegal international Yatma Diop said.
El Hadji Diouf is probably the most famous football to have played for Senegal – considering he was the tailisman in helping them reach the quarter finals of the World Cup in 2002. Diouf announced his decision on Friday. “(In a letter to the CNF) El Hadji Diouf explained that he was no longer available for international competition and that he is suspending his career,” said spokesman Ndeye Dome Thiouf. “He has retired from internationals, but will continue to play club football in England.”
