Mame Diouf - Player of the Week

Diouf downs West Brom! 

Mame Diouf scored his fourth and fifth Premier League goals of the season, as Stoke City beat West Brom 2-0 to record successive Premier League wins for the first time this season. Things are looking less comfortable for West Brom, who have only won 1 game in the last 9 and are just one point above the relegation zone. After an even first half, Stoke took the lead in the 51st minute, when Diouf scored with a shot from the centre of the penalty area. West Brom then hit a post, but Stoke scored again after 66 minutes when a shot from Arnautovic took a deflection off Diouf to give the Senegalese international his second goal of the game and give Stoke City all three points.

"It was great to be on the score sheet, my second was very lucky but a goal is a goal and I will take that every day."  Mame Diouf.

Did Mame Diouf play for Manchester United?

Yes, Mame Diouf was signed by Sir Alex Ferguson in 2009 and made his debut for Manchester United in January 2010. Diouf scored on his Premier League debut against Burnley at Old Trafford, after coming on as a substitute for Wayne Rooney. Diouf also won his first major trophy at Old Trafford, when he was named on the substitutes bench for the 2010 League Cup Final. United beat Aston Villa 2-1 at Wembley with goals from Rooney and Michael Owen. Unfortunately, these were the high points for Diouf and his Man Utd career, he only made 9 appearances in total and the only goal he scored in a United shirt was the one on his home debut against Burnley.

What else do we know about Mame Diouf?

Mame Biram Diouf was born in Dakar, the capital of Senegal, in 1987. He started his career in Senegal with Diaraf, who have won the Senegalese Premier League more times than any other club. In 2007, Diouf made the journey to Europe when he signed for Molde in the Norwegian second division. In his first season with Molde, he scored 10 goals to help his club to promotion to the Norwegian Premier League. In the next two seasons, Diouf scored 35 goals in 64 games for Molde and was signed by Manchester United. During his time at Old Trafford he was also loaned to Blackburn Rovers, where he scored 6 goals. In 2012, Diouf was sold to Hannover in the German Bundesliga for an undisclosed fee. At Hannover, Diouf rediscovered his scoring touch and scored 35 times in only 71 matches. In the summer of 2014, Stoke City gave Diouf a second chance in the Premier League when they signed him on a free transfer. 

"This is a chance for me to prove myself in the Premier League."  Mame Diouf talking about signing for Stoke City

Why will Diouf be leaving Stoke soon?

Mame Diouf has been named in Senegal's squad for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, which is taking place in Equatorial Guinea between the 17th of January and 8th of February. This creates some difficulties for Premier League managers like Mark Hughes at Stoke, as Diouf might miss up to 5 Premier League matches if Senegal reach the final. However, it is an opportunity for Diouf and other Premier League stars to win something for their country and show their skills on the international stage. Diouf has made 23 appearances for Senegal and scored four times, including the goal against Egypt that meant they qualified for the tournament. 

"I am a little bit frustrated because we are going to miss him when he is at the Africa Cup of Nations." Mark Hughes, Stoke City manager.

Who are the favourites to win the Africa Cup of Nations?

There are 16 teams taking part in the Africa Cup of Nations. Nigeria won the tournament in 2013, but together with Egypt, who have won the tournament a record 7 times, will not be in Equatorial Guinea because they failed to qualify. Let's take a look at some of the teams to watch out for, and some of the Premier League players that will be in action. Who do you think is going to win?

Senegal

Senegal have never won the Africa Cup of Nations, their best result was in 2002, when they lost to Cameroon in the final. There are plenty of Premier League strikers that will want to partner ex-Chelsea striker Demba Ba in attack.

• Mame Diouf (Stoke City)
• Papiss Cisse (Newcastle Utd)
• Diafra Sakho (West Ham Utd)

Ivory Coast

Ivory Coast's best performance was in 1992 when they won the tournament. They have also been the beaten finalist on two other occasions. With Yaya Toure in midfield, Ivory Coast must be one of the favourites to win the tournament. 

• Yaya Toure (Manchester City)
• Cheick Tiote (Newcastle Utd)
• Wilfried Bony (Swansea City)

Algeria

Algeria won the tournament in 1990 and must be one of the favorites this time. Algeria are in superb form and reached the last-16 of Brazil 2014, where they lost a very close match to Germany after extra-time.

• Nabil Bentaleb (Tottenham Hotspur)
• Mehdi Abeid (Newcastle Utd)
• Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City)

What did you understand?

Did you know......?

• Mame Diouf got the winner for Stoke at Man City - the only Premer League match City have lost at home this season. 
• Diouf's childhood hero was Ronaldo - the Brazilian one!
• Mame's brother, Mame Mbar Diouf, is also a footballer.
• Diouf is not the first Senegalese player to play for Stoke; Henri Camara, Salif Diao, Abdoulaye Faye, Amdy Faye and Ibrahima Sonko have all played for Stoke.
• Stoke City's nickname is The Potters because the area around the city is famous for making pottery and ceramics.