Senegal: Ex football stars rally for change in top management

Former Senegalese football stars have regrouped to lobby for thorough reforms in the country’s football federation. Led by El hadji Diouf, the players gathered under the CFRS, a French acronym for their campaign which is calling for ‘Collective Renewal of Senegalese Football.’

The group which also includes Amdy Faye, Alassane Ndour, Amadou Ndiaye Zamadou, Victor Diagne and Yatma Diomade, made the announcement on their intentions on April 21 at a press conference in Dakar.

The former internationals decried the rot in the top management of Senegalese football, saying they were worried about the future of the game in the country.

“Young footballers are distressed, they cannot play for clubs or in other competitions because of lack pitches. The common Senegalese wonders when this situation is going to change,“said Victor Diagne, who read the opening statement by the group.

They are demanding for change of the leaders of the Senegalese Football Federation headed by President Augustin Senghor, even though, they emphasized their campaign is not directed against a particular person, “but against an obsolete system, outmoded methods and anachronistic practices.”

Their sentiments are being backed by the Teranga lions’ half-hearted campaign at the AFCON 2017 in Gabon where the team crashed out at the quarters, even when it was among the favorites.

Earlier the Senegalese FA boss Senghor had said that his wish is to see the AFCON trophy go to Senegal before dying, remarks to which El Hadji Diouf retorted:“He knows that he has failed and that it is finished.”

Follow @Muisyo_