Former Senegalese midfielder Papa Bouba Diop has died at the age of 42 after a long illness, the local media and the football association of the West African state said on Sunday.
Diop is best known in his home country for scoring the winning goal in the opening game of the 2002 World Cup against then-defending champion France.
The Senegalese squad reached the quarter-finals of the tournament before being knocked out by Turkey.
Diop was also part of the team that lost to Cameroon on penalties in the 2002 African Cup of Nations final.
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He won the FA Cup in 2008 with Portsmouth in a club career that included stints at French clubs Lens, Fulham, West Ham United and Birmingham City.
Victor Cisse, Secretary General of the Senegalese Football Association, confirmed Diop’s death to AFP.
Senegal’s President Macky Sall said on Twitter on Sunday that it was a “great loss” for the country.
“I pay tribute to a good footballer who is respected by everyone for his courtesy and talent and who proudly reminds us of the Lions saga of 2002,” Sall tweeted.
“I would like to express my condolences to his family and the football world.”
– AFP
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