African football legend El Hadji Diouf has hailed Mamelodi Sundowns as one of the biggest clubs in the world as he explained his attendance at the club's 50th anniversary event.
Diouf was among the dignitaries, including Barcelona legend Samuel Eto'o and former Mamelodi Sundowns and Ivory Coast midfielder Siaka Tiene, that graced the Brazilians 50th anniversary gala dinner in Sandton on Saturday.
The former Liverpool midfielder says he could not turn the invitation by Mamelodi Sundowns down because he has always regarded South Africa as one of his home countries.
"I always say that South Africa is my second home. It's my lucky country. The second time I was CAF Player of the Year, I was here [at the event hosted in Johannesburg in 2002]," Diouf tells snl24.com/kickoff.
Scroll through the gallery above to get an inside look at Sundowns' 50th anniversary shindig at the Sandton Convention Centre
"To be part of Mamelodi Sundowns' [50th anniversary] is wonderful. It's a great club. I have watched them a lot. The club president [Patrice Motsepe] has taken the club to another level and is still going far.
"This is one of the biggest clubs in Africa and I say it's one of the biggest clubs in the world."
With the Brazilians boss currently vying for CAF presidency, Diouf played his cards close to his chest with regards to his preferred candidate for the top position in continental football.
"I have to listen to all the candidates, because all the candidates are my friends. They are all my brothers," he added.
"We will see [who presents the best campaign] and, after listening to all of them, then we will know who the right candidate is, because the winner is going to be Africa."