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Player of the Week - Diafra Sakho

Player of the Week - Diafra Sakho

Sakho scores again to send The Hammers up the table!

West Ham Utd striker Diafra Sakho scored again at the weekend to give his team a 2-0 win against QPR and send the Hammers up to 7th place in the Premier League table. Sakho's header was the Senegal international's fifth goal in only five starts for West Ham, which have included goals against Liverpool and Manchester United. Sakho has now scored in four consecutive Premier League games and is the first West Ham player to do this since Carlton Cole in 2008/09.Sakho celebrates his goal at the weekend.It was a comfortable win for West Ham, who scored a goal in each half, against a QPR team who are now bottom of the table and have to play Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City in three of their next four games! It was also an unhappy return for QPR manager Harry Redknapp, who managed West Ham between 1994 and 2001. West Ham are now ahead of both Arsenal and Liverpool in the table and with a new attacking line-up are looking forward to many more wins this season. 

"Sakho feels like he is going to score every time he goes out on the pitch at the moment."  Sam Allardyce - West Ham manager.

What do we know about Diafra Sakho?

Sakho was born in December 1989 in Guédiawaye near Dakar, which is the capital city of Senegal. When he was young, Sakho moved to Guinea-Bissau but returned to Senegal in 2003 to join the Generation Foot Academy in Dakar. This academy helps develop African footballers, with one example being Papiss Cisse at Newcastle United, and sponsors include Tottenham striker Emmanuel Adebayor and Senegalese singer Youssou N'dour.Sakho scored a great goal against Liverpool.In 2007, Sakho moved to France to play for FC Metz, and after a few seasons playing for the reserves, he broke into the first team. In 2012/13 and 2013/14, Sakho scored 39 goals in 69 games, helping Metz to consecutive promotions and the top level of French football.

"This is a proud day to have signed for West Ham, I really love English football and I've dreamed of coming to play for one of the big English clubs." Diafra Sakho.

What is Sakho's inspiration?

Sakho moved to the Premier League in August 2014, when he signed for West Ham United for around £4.5 million. Sakho wasn't the only striker West Ham signed, they also signed Ecuador star, Enner Valencia. The two new strikers are starting to create a great partnership for The Hammers.Sakho scores on his Premier League debut.Sakho has recently spoken about his inspiration to become a top professional footballer. After arriving in France, his father died unexpectedly, which left Sakho as the only wage earner, with his mother and 2 younger brothers and sister back home in Senegal with very little money. Most of his salary, as a youth player, was sent back home and when his salary increased he was able to send more to his family. He has now been able to buy his family a new house and pay for his sister's education.

"I knew what I had to do for my mother and two brothers and sisters. It was up to me to provide for them."  Diafra Sakho.

Does Sakho play for his national team?

Mohamed Diame is Senegal captain.Sakho's scoring record for FC Metz last season caught the eye of the Senegalese selectors and Sakho made his debut for Senegal, against Burkino Faso, on 21 May 2014. Four days later, Sakho scored his first international goal, against Kosovo in a 3-1 win. He played alongside his new West Ham teammmate, Cheikhou Kouyate and was subsituted for ex-West Ham, Newcastle and Chelsea striker Demba Ba. After a goalscoring start to life in the Premier League, Sakho will surely receive more international call-ups in the future.

Are there any other Senegal players in the Premier League? 

Papiss Cisse is one of many Senegalese players in the Premier League.Diafra Sakho is not the only Senegalese international in the Premier League. There is Sakho's teammate, Cheikhou Kouyate, at West Ham (11 caps), and there are a few other Senegalese players who have been scoring goals already this season. Papiss Cisse (29 caps) has scored 4 Premier League goals in only 3 games for Newcastle Utd this season and Hull City midfielder Mohamed Diame (21 caps) has scored 3 in 4 games this season, including a goal against his former club - West Ham. Stoke City striker, Mame Biram Diouf (19 caps), has scored twice in 6 games, including a winner against Manchester City, and Southampton forward Sadio Mane (16 caps) is another Senegal international who will want to make an impact, after signing for the Saints for about £12 million in the summer.

Sakho in action against QPR, Getty.

What did you understand?

 
How much did you understand?

Sakho scores again to send The Hammers up the table!

West Ham Utd striker Diafra Sakho scored again at the weekend to give his team a 2-0 win against QPR and send the Hammers up to 7th place in the Premier League table. Sakho's header was the Senegal international's fifth goal in only five starts for West Ham, which have included goals against Liverpool and Manchester United. Sakho has now scored in four consecutive Premier League games and is the first West Ham player to do this since Carlton Cole in 2008/09.It was a comfortable win for West Ham, who scored a goal in each half, against a QPR team who are now bottom of the table and have to play Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City in three of their next four games! It was also an unhappy return for QPR manager Harry Redknapp, who managed West Ham between 1994 and 2001. West Ham are now ahead of both Arsenal and Liverpool in the table and with a new attacking line-up are looking forward to many more wins this season. 

"Sakho feels like he is going to score every time he goes out on the pitch at the moment."  Sam Allardyce - West Ham manager.

What do we know about Diafra Sakho?

Sakho was born in December 1989 in Guédiawaye near Dakar, the capital city of Senegal, which is on the Atlantic coast. When he was young, Sakho moved to Guinea-Bissau but returned to Senegal in 2003 to join the Generation Foot Academy in Dakar. This academy helps develop African footballers, with one example being Papiss Cisse at Newcastle United, and sponsors include Tottenham striker Emmanuel Adebayor and Senegalese singer Youssou N'dour.In 2007, Sakho moved to France to play for FC Metz and after a few seasons playing for the reserves, he broke into the first team. In 2012/13 and 2013/14, Sakho scored 39 goals in 69 appearances and helped FC Metz to consecutive promotions to the first division of French football.

"This is a proud day to have signed for West Ham, I really love English football and I've dreamed of coming to play for one of the big English clubs." Diafra Sakho.

What is Sakho's inspiration?

Sakho moved to the Premier League in August 2014, when he signed for West Ham United for around £4.5 million. Sakho wasn't the only striker West Ham signed, they also signed Ecuador star, Enner Valencia. The two new strikers are starting to create a great partnership for The Hammers.Sakho has recently spoken about his inspiration to become a top professional footballer. After arriving in France, his father died unexpectedly, which left Sakho as the main wage earner, with his mother and 2 younger brothers and sister back home in Senegal with very little money. Most of his salary, as a youth player, was sent back home and when his salary increased he was able to send more to his family. He has now been able to buy his family a new house and pay for his sister's education.

"I knew what I had to do for my mother and two brothers and sisters. It was up to me to provide for them."  Diafra Sakho.

Does Sakho play for his national team?

Sakho's scoring record for FC Metz last season caught the eye of the Senegalese selectors and Sakho made his debut for Senegal, against Burkino Faso, on 21 May 2014. Four days later, Sakho scored his first international goal, against Kosovo in a 3-1 win. He played alongside his new West Ham teammmate, Cheikhou Kouyate and was subsituted for ex-West Ham, Newcastle and Chelsea striker Demba Ba. After a goalscoring start to life in the Premier League, Sakho will surely receive more international call-ups in the future.

Are there any other Senegal players in the Premier League? 

Diafra Sakho is not the only Senegalese international in the Premier League. There is Sakho's teammate, Cheikhou Kouyate, at West Ham (11 caps), and there are a few other Senegalese players who have been scoring goals already this season. Papiss Cisse (29 caps) has scored 4 Premier League goals in only 3 games for Newcastle Utd this season and Hull City midfielder Mohamed Diame (21 caps) has scored 3 in 4 games this season, including a goal against his former club - West Ham. Stoke City striker, Mame Biram Diouf (19 caps), has scored twice in 6 games, including a winner against Manchester City and Southampton forward Sadio Mane (16 caps) is another Senegal international who will want to make an impact, after signing for the Saints for about £12 million in the summer.

Activity 1: In this activity, try to answer the questions to show how much of the article you understand.

 


 

Put the words together as quick as you can.
Activity 2: In this activity, think about how some of the sentences in the text were written. Can you put the words in the correct order?

 


 

Did you know......?

  • Kevin Nolan (7 goals) was West Ham's top scorer last season. Sakho already has 4 Premier League goals.
  • Sakho had a fire in his apartment recently! Fortunately, nobody was hurt but it was a bit embarrasing for Sakho, who left the cooker on!
  • West Ham will move to the Olympic Stadium in 2016.
  • Premier League legends - Patrick Viera and Patrice Evra - were born in Senegal.
Sakho celebrating his goal against Liverpool, Getty.

Quiz

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What do you think?

Is West Ham's start to the season a surprise?

How many goals will Diafra Sakho score this season?

West Ham will move to the Olympic Stadium in 2016. Do clubs in your country move stadiums often? 

Write a message and tell us what you think.

 

 

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Comments

hsn's picture
hsn
17/12/2022
TR
5555
points

Sentence
My inspiration to become professional was ex-player dad. I had to struggle for a long time to be caught the eye of the scouts.
Then İ received more international call-ups for transfer.


hsn's picture
hsn
17/12/2022 17:11
Turkey
Tottenham Hotspur
5555

Sentence
My inspiration to become professional was ex-player dad. I had to struggle for a long time to be caught the eye of the scouts.
Then İ received more international call-ups for transfer.

Gabriel Amaral's picture
Gabriel Amaral
07/06/2021
BR
1512
points

Unfortunately, I don't have many informations about both Sakho's and West ham's campaing that season.


Gabriel Amaral's picture
Gabriel Amaral
07/06/2021 23:57
Brazil
Arsenal
1512

Unfortunately, I don't have many informations about both Sakho's and West ham's campaing that season.

mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
20/06/2020
TR
6536
points

I have never heard about Diafra Sakho before nonetheless I think he's a good player and human being.


mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
20/06/2020 21:43
Turkey
Manchester United
6536

I have never heard about Diafra Sakho before nonetheless I think he's a good player and human being.

HakanUslu1881's picture
HakanUslu1881
25/03/2016
TR
1761
points

I really like style of him.


HakanUslu1881's picture
HakanUslu1881
25/03/2016 22:54
Turkey
Leicester City
1761

I really like style of him.

HakanUslu1881's picture
HakanUslu1881
25/03/2016
TR
1761
points

Yes,for example Konyaspor,Antalyaspor,Besiktas etc.


HakanUslu1881's picture
HakanUslu1881
25/03/2016 22:54
Turkey
Leicester City
1761

Yes,for example Konyaspor,Antalyaspor,Besiktas etc.

HakanUslu1881's picture
HakanUslu1881
25/03/2016
TR
1761
points

He might score 15 goals at least.


HakanUslu1881's picture
HakanUslu1881
25/03/2016 22:54
Turkey
Leicester City
1761

He might score 15 goals at least.

HakanUslu1881's picture
HakanUslu1881
25/03/2016
TR
1761
points

Yes,nobody expected such a beginning for them.


HakanUslu1881's picture
HakanUslu1881
25/03/2016 22:53
Turkey
Leicester City
1761

Yes,nobody expected such a beginning for them.

assemjuve's picture
assemjuve
23/02/2016
PS
3705
points

No they do not.


assemjuve's picture
assemjuve
23/02/2016 15:53
Palestinian Territory
Liverpool
3705

No they do not.

assemjuve's picture
assemjuve
23/02/2016
PS
3705
points

About 9 goals.


assemjuve's picture
assemjuve
23/02/2016 15:53
Palestinian Territory
Liverpool
3705

About 9 goals.

assemjuve's picture
assemjuve
23/02/2016
PS
3705
points

Yes, it is.


assemjuve's picture
assemjuve
23/02/2016 15:52
Palestinian Territory
Liverpool
3705

Yes, it is.

MUGEMANYI's picture
MUGEMANYI
03/12/2015
RW
2320
points

Yes " Rayon sport club" moved stadium in my country


MUGEMANYI's picture
MUGEMANYI
03/12/2015 05:00
Rwanda
Arsenal
2320

Yes " Rayon sport club" moved stadium in my country

aragorn1986's picture
aragorn1986
28/11/2015
ME
3557
points

I can't wait to see the new atmosphere on the Olympic Stadium though it will be sad to archive the Upton Park in history.


aragorn1986's picture
aragorn1986
28/11/2015 20:29
Montenegro
Arsenal
3557

I can't wait to see the new atmosphere on the Olympic Stadium though it will be sad to archive the Upton Park in history.

MUGEMANYI's picture
MUGEMANYI
03/12/2015
RW
2320
points

Indeed, Olympic stadium is good than Upton Park


MUGEMANYI's picture
MUGEMANYI
03/12/2015 05:02
Rwanda
Arsenal
2320

Indeed, Olympic stadium is good than Upton Park

nikosonris
17/11/2015
UA
2453
points

A very solid team that makes top-flight teams scary)


nikosonris
17/11/2015 13:34
Ukraine
Arsenal
2453

A very solid team that makes top-flight teams scary)

aragorn1986's picture
aragorn1986
02/11/2015
ME
3557
points

A big surprise! They are doing wery well..


aragorn1986's picture
aragorn1986
02/11/2015 19:32
Montenegro
Arsenal
3557

A big surprise! They are doing wery well..

almirpereira's picture
almirpereira
26/10/2015
BR
1339
points

we're arriving there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 Wait us up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


almirpereira's picture
almirpereira
26/10/2015 17:08
Brazil
Chelsea
1339

we're arriving there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 Wait us up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MUGEMANYI's picture
MUGEMANYI
03/12/2015
RW
2320
points

Waiting first match at Olympic stadium


MUGEMANYI's picture
MUGEMANYI
03/12/2015 05:04
Rwanda
Arsenal
2320

Waiting first match at Olympic stadium

Leaderboard

Top Scorers
RankNameScore
1Alex_from_Ukraine6570
2mobeckham6536
3hsn5555
4wsanta5086
5kwesimanifest4779
6Liubomyr4417
7elghoul3988
8assemjuve3705
9aragorn19863557
10Gergő Nagy3396
Country ranking
RankNameScore
1Colombia74670
2Ukraine33833
3Spain29384
4Serbia27426
5Brazil23388
6Albania20578
7Vietnam20437
8Turkey20093
9Macedonia19074
10Bosnia and Herzegovina16333
Club ranking
RankNameScore
1Manchester United146566
2Liverpool111201
3Chelsea90102
4Arsenal86318
5Manchester City58708
6Tottenham Hotspur19407
7Newcastle United10560
8West Ham United7642
9AFC Bournemouth4915
10Everton4533

Level

4
Average: 4 (1 vote)

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