Diafra Sakho Earns First Call-Up to Senegal National Team
After an impressive season in France’s Ligue 2, Senegalese forward Diafra Sakho has finally earned his much-awaited call-up to the Senegal national football team. The 24-year-old, who has been in sensational form with FC Metz, finishing as the league’s top scorer with 20 goals, was previously overlooked by national coach Alain Giresse. However, Sakho’s stellar performances and significant contribution to Metz’s promotion to Ligue 1 could not be ignored any longer.
Sakho’s call-up comes ahead of two friendly matches for Senegal: one against Burkina Faso on May 21 in Ouagadougou, and another against Kosovo on May 25 in Geneva. The decision to include him in the squad marks a turning point for both the player and coach Giresse, who had long resisted giving him a chance in the national team.
The call-up is seen as the result of a combination of factors. First and foremost, Sakho’s remarkable season with Metz, where he not only became the league’s best player but also played a key role in securing the club’s return to France’s top tier. Additionally, his performances have attracted the attention of several top European clubs, further highlighting his growing reputation in football.
However, his inclusion is also partly due to the unfortunate injuries of key Senegalese forwards Mame Biram Diouf (Hanover) and Papiss Cissé (Newcastle), both of whom are sidelined for the time being. With both players unable to take part in the upcoming internationals, Giresse had little choice but to call up Sakho, who has also been courted by national teams from Togo, Guinea-Bissau, and Mali.
Sakho’s call-up is a major step in his international career, and it’s expected that the striker will have a chance to prove his worth on the international stage. His powerful performances this season, coupled with his undeniable goal-scoring ability, make him a valuable asset to the Lions of Senegal as they prepare for upcoming tournaments and qualifiers, including the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) qualifiers.
With this new opportunity, Sakho will look to make an immediate impact and solidify his place in the Senegal national team, as Giresse works to reshape his squad for the future.
