A week after scoring the winner against Swansea, West Ham striker Diafra Sakho helped fire Senegal to the top of CAF’s Group D with a goal during Saturday’s World Cup qualifiers against Cape Verde.
The Teranga Lions secured a 2-nil win over the hosts, to make it 8 points with 2 games to play.
Having already seen their first-leg against South Africa cancelled and rescheduled due to match fixing allegations, weekend’s victory means Senegal are now a victory away from qualifying for Russia 2018.
Sakho’s heroics proved crucial again as his goal helped put the visitors in front 8 minutes from time, and there wouldn’t have been a better way to celebrate his recall to the national team.
There have been calls from some fans and pundits for Hammers manager Slaven Bilic to hand the 27-year-old a start when league action resumes next weekend.
Considering his displays against Cape Verde, though, Sakho might have just successfully made a claim for his name to be in the XI to face Burnley.
West Ham and Senegal fans on Twitter were impressed by Sakho’s performance, and here is a handful of their reactions.
It’s time for bilic to start sakho and chica
— ⚒Chris chapman⚒ (@chrissam321) October 7, 2017
Diafra Sakho with a big goal for Senegal! in Cape Verde….wow!! #Africanmadness
— d Moni (@edmondannor) October 7, 2017
That’s now four goals for Diafra Sakho this season. Fair play to the bloke.
— West Ham Fan Zone (@WHUFCFZ) October 7, 2017
DIAFRA SAKHO HAVE MY KIDS
— Siemian SZN (@MrEIite) October 7, 2017
?? Cape Verde 0-1 ?? Senegal (82’)
Diafra Sakho gives Senegal the lead with around 10 minutes left on the clock!
— World Cup Story ⚽️? (@wc_story) October 7, 2017
Diafra Sakho leading the @FootballSenegal attack against Cape Verde – his first appearance since 2015 #CPVSEN
— Modou Bah (@modoubah) October 7, 2017
