20100909
africanews

Former Senegalese international El Hadji Diouf has stated his intension to stage a comeback to the national team. The Blackburn Rovers strker told Ivorian tabloid Spoire Ivoire he just went on an international football sabbatical and feels the time is ripe for him to be with the Teranga Lions.

diouf Photo: Goal.com
“I can’t say it’s finished between me and Senegal. I only took a break because I wasn’t happy with so many things going on then in the team,” Diouf said.

“But now if the people of Senegal ask me to come back, I wouldn’t hesitate,” he noted after retiring in April 2009.

As the Teranga Lions of Senegal and the Leopards of the Democratic Republic Congo clashed last weekend in Lubumbashi during the first round of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches, which the Senegalese won 4-2, former team forward Diouf was in Abidjan, Ivory Coast for a private visit as well as following the happenings around his former national team, most certainly.

Diouf was party to the dazzling Teranga Lions group that astounded many during the 2002 World Cup co-hosted by South Korea and Japan, defeating the then reigning champions France in their opener.

Diouf had visited Ivory Coast to attend a ceremony of the Akralè Foundation; a charity venture he jointly runs with Didier Drogba and Senegalese-American Rhythm & Blues singer Akon.