Diafra Sakho's unexpected appearance for West Ham in yesterday's 1-0 win against Bristol City has been met with a furious reaction by football fans from his home nation.

A steady stream of French and Senegalese supporters took to Sakho's Facebook page in order to express their dissatisfaction at his appearance at Ashton Gate yesterday whilst Senegal are preparing to face Algeria in their third AFCON tie tomorrow.



So surprised by the negative reaction was Sakho - who scored the only goal of the game nine minutes from time, having replaced Enner Valencia early in the second half - that he composed a message to all those expressing their anger at his unexpectedly early return to first team football.



"I took the time to look at all your reactions on social networks," he wrote. Very quickly the joy within me after scoring and saving my club has turned into sadness and anger.



"Sadness because some of your words touched me deeply, in my heart - and this without you knowing what really happened . Great wrath too, because after all my struggles day after day, season after season to finally wear the jersey of my homeland - the only nation that matters to me - you doubt my love and my patriotism.



"My not going to the African Cup of Nations 2015 - my first AFCON - was not painless. The dream of contributing to the victory of my country came this year, but is not dead. Never doubt the lion sleeping in me, as I never doubt the passion that burns within you."



Sam Allardyce, asked about Sakho's inclusion after the match said he wasn't aware of West Ham having done anything wrong by fielding the 24-year-old, who scored his tenth goal of the campaign today.



"Hes still unable to fly," Allardyce revealed. "We had to drive him down in a limo on Saturday afternoon, but other than that he said he can get out on the pitch and just see how he goes.



Today was about putting him on the bench with the hope we didnt have to use him, but in the end bringing him on was the most important tactical decision for us.



"Yesterday I spoke with the chairman and said he looks alright. We dont think were doing anything wrong with what weve done and how weve approached it."



