Lethal weapon

El Hadj Diouf the trump card for Senegal

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) -- Senegal soccer fans are pinning their hopes on El Hadj Diouf, the 2001 African soccer player of the year who steered the Dakar Lions to their first World Cup appearance with eight goals in 14 qualifiers.

Dubbed "Serial Killer" by an adoring Senegalese press, the forward who plays for French club Lens is known for his fancy footwork and speed.

The 21-year-old striker, crowned the continent's best player earlier this month, also has his feet on the ground.

"I had to fight to get where I am today, The lesson is that you get what you want with a good dose of perseverance and dignity," Diouf told African Football magazine recently.

Born in Senegal's oceanside capital of Dakar, Diouf spent his early years playing in local matches in St. Louis, 270 kilometers (170 miles) north of the capital, before being discovered in 1995 during a national youth soccer tournament.

He then went to Sochaux in France, where he honed his skills training at a youth sports center.

But the dazzling striker says he owes his determination to the street-training he gained as a child in Dakar.

The value of the Lions' star has reportedly quadrupled since his amazing performance in the World Cup qualifiers, where he scored two hat-tricks.

"We won't sell El Hadj Ousseynou Diouf for less than 150 million French francs (US$20 million)," Lens president Gervais Martel told France Football weekly.

Among the clubs reportedly interested in Diouf are Chelsea, Aston Villa and AC Milan.

Diouf's only enemy seems to be a lack of discipline, for which he's often criticized both at home and in France.

He was fined by Lens for returning late after the African Cup of Nations earlier this year, and some of his critics say he enjoys the good life too much -- and needs to watch his mouth.

"He talks back too much to referees. That's not good for him," said Babacar Sow, a Senegalese soccer coach.

The Lions play defending world champion France in the World Cup opener in Seoul on May 31. Denmark and two-time champion Uruguay are also in Group A.

 

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