The failure to qualify for the biggest international tournament in the world , resulted in anger and fury amongst their home supporters and Metal Bars and bricks where being missiled on to the pitch as the game ended and fencing was ripped from post as the fans went on a rampage. The rioting wasn't only contained to the stadium , but the streets of Dakar where set full of burning obstacles and cars. The riots carried on late in to the night with many fans clashing with Police who came at them with batons and tear gas.

Salif Diao who has now most likely missed his final chance to play in another World Cup explained

"The frustration was too much to handle for a lot of them. There are always some trouble-makers - and after the game, some of them tried to destroy the stadium. They also burned tyres on the main road and the football federation headquarters. They weren't happy. We had to stay in the changing rooms from 6pm until 10pm before we could come out of the stadium in undercover cars to get back to our hotel. I've not experienced that before, but I know there were similar problems two years ago when we missed qualifying for the last World Cup. Then, they stoned the bus while the players were on it. This time no one wanted to take a chance on the bus, so we had to sit in the changing rooms. Sometimes people don't see just how big football is for these African countries. It is not just about winning a football match - you are also fixing big social issues. If it doesn't work then there is trouble."

Diao, now 31, has gone to say despite the reaction of the fans he is still very proud of his country and to have represented them. Diao left Senegal aged 16. Following what happened to Sidibe when he played for Mali, I'm sure many Stoke fans are really starting to worry about player safety in the African Nations, are our players really safe on international duty?

Diao continued “I have been thinking I need to keep playing for two more years because I want to play in one more World Cup, but now it is all over. Now we need to focus on the club. There won’t be international games with Senegal, so we have to concentrate all our energy on Stoke City. It will be a very tough game because Spurs are a good team who move the ball well and very quickly. But it is up to us to start picking up points at home, starting with this game.”

The midfielder has been in the press a lot lately, following the outburst by Stoke manager Tony Pulis when Senegal called Diao out to Dakar for a fitness test. Diao passed the test and has now fully recovered from his injury and along with Sonko and the Faye's may features against Spurs come Sunday.