The midfielder played for his country in a 2-0 win against Cape Verde Islands on Saturday. That result put Lions of Teranga top of Group D in the African qualifiers and boosted their chances of reaching the finals for the first time since 2002.
Speaking to nufcTV after reporting back to United's Benton training ground on Tuesday, he said: "It was the first game for the qualification for the World Cup, so it was an important one.
"It was a home game for us so it was important to win in front of our fans and in front of our people. We were happy.
"It's a massive target for us to be at the World Cup in Russia. Of course we're looking for this so we're going to try to work well and do everything to be there."It's always better to travel after you win a game and I came back to training on (Tuesday) morning. I feel okay now and I've got all week to be ready for the next game.
"We (the players) talk about the games we've had with our countries - but we need to get to work and get ready for this important game at home against Brentford."Newcastle won their last two matches before the international break with Diame playing in both and the Magpies have won five and drawn one of the eight league games he has started.
But despite coming close on several occasions, he is yet to open his goalscoring account - a far cry from last season with Hull, when he found the net ten times."I'm waiting for that, but I'm working hard for the team," he said.
"I'm working hard defensively in my job but now I need to improve offensively and give more for this team. I'm waiting for this first goal, and more assists.
"When Rafa Benitez called me, I think he called me for more than what I'm giving at the moment. As I said, I'm still working hard and I think that's why I'm still in the team but I need to give more offensively."
Newcastle are currently third in the Sky Bet Championship table but could go top if they beat Brentford at St. James' Park and Huddersfield and Norwich both lose at the weekend.
And Diame said: "We need to keep going. We're working hard, the manager is doing things well, and we need to stay focused.
"It is important in this league to win all of the home games - even draws can be bad results - so we need to win at home."
