Diafra Sakho was a key figure in Senegal's qualification for the 2018 World Cup, but his time in Russia was a nightmare. He played just 4 minutes out of 3 matches for the Lions of Teranga. He has not appeared for the national team since. And the former West Ham striker still hasn't quite come to terms with the episode. In an interview with Pulse Sénégal, he said he no longer followed the matches of Aliou Cissé's men.
"I'm not going to lie to myself. It's been a long time since I've followed a match of the Senegal national team. Apart from my former team-mates, the truth is I don't know many of them (the players). I don't even know which clubs they play for. In the national team, you have to select the best players in their league," said the Nancy player.
At 33, Diafra Sakho is not ready to return to the national team. He feels that the team is doing well and he wants to make way for the young players, who he believes are very talented. "Senegal's victories? That's great. It shows that the others are continuing what we started. Today, Senegal have good potential and no longer need the services of Diaf (Diafra Sakho). Even if I could still help in a lot of areas, I want to do something else in my career. The national team rotates all the time with new players. That's all that bothers me," he concluded.
" Guedj na setann football équipe nationale 😬 "
Diafra Sakho lâche ses coups sur la sélection nationale du Sénégal de football #PulseViral pic.twitter.com/KMzw0F1qzD
— Pulse Sénégal (@PulseSenegal) June 23, 2023