The 21-year-old scored eight of his team's 14 goals during qualifying to underline his importance to the Dakar Lions - including two hat-tricks.
Diouf's all-round game has developed rapidly over the last two years - since Bruno Metsu took over as Senegal coach in November 2000.
He has genuine pace, is a good header of the ball and has worked hard to develop the previously weak side of his game - bringing others into play.
But what really catches the eye about Diouf's game is his ability with the ball at his feet.
He is a natural showman, the darling of the fans back in his native Dakar and known for his fancy footwork.
But Diouf's rise from obscurity with French club Socheaux - who he joined as a teenager in 1998 - to African Footballer of the Year has not been smooth.
He struggled to make an impact after signing for Socheaux and moved to Rennes in 1999.