El Hadji Diouf urges Senegal to target AFCON final in Morocco

Senegal legend El Hadji Diouf has challenged the national team to reach at least the final of the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, insisting that the squad has the quality to fight for the continent’s most prestigious title.

Speaking on RTS, the former double African Footballer of the Year praised the Lions’ recent performances, particularly their resilience in Kinshasa, where they overcame a hostile atmosphere to secure top spot in Group B by defeating the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Diouf described the display as proof of the side’s maturity and ability to rise when faced with adversity.

“The pressure was immense and the players had a date with history,” Diouf said. “We went there determined to reclaim first place.

At half-time, when we were trailing 2-0, the message to the players was simple: keep playing, because you can still score four goals.

That is the mentality of great teams—never giving up when everything seems lost.”

The former forward underlined that Senegal’s current generation has turned the national team into a respected footballing institution, building on years of progress.

He believes that the blend of experience and talent under coach Pape Thiaw gives them every chance of competing for the title in Morocco.

“With the quality in this team, the minimum expectation must be the final,” he said firmly. “We know the kind of atmosphere that awaits us in Morocco, and I reminded the players they will face the same level of hostility.

But this is where champions are made. If we reach the final and face Morocco, then we will talk again.”

Diouf, who was part of the golden 2002 generation that reached the World Cup quarter-finals and the AFCON final, stressed that such ambition is necessary if Senegal is to continue competing with the best on the continent.

“Before, we were just an institution. Now we are a respected institution,” he added. “That means we must set high standards for ourselves.

This team has shown it can compete under pressure, and with that spirit, Senegal must look towards the final.”

His comments add weight to growing expectations around Pape Thiaw’s squad, who have been widely tipped as favourites for next year’s tournament.

For Diouf, however, it is not enough to be considered contenders—the Lions must deliver on the pitch and live up to their reputation as one of Africa’s strongest teams.