Fri. Mar 29th, 2024

The one who scored the winning goal against the world champions France, Papa Bouba Diop who played in the midfield position for the Senegal team has passed away at the age of 42.

The diagnosis indicates Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis which is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

The legend was an important aspect for the team when they reached the quarter-finals of the planet cup and with 65 cups for the country during the time of 2001 and 2008 is a remarkable achievement. In 2002 they were only one among the three African sides to have to succeed in the ultimate eight of the competition.

The midfielder’s close-range goal against reigning world champions set debutants Senegal on their thanks to one among the foremost famous victories within the tournament’s history, and he would continue to score twice as they held Uruguay 3-3 in their final group game to succeed in the knockout stages.

In the quarter-final stage, it was Turkey who got the better of Terenga Lions on the Golden goal rule.

He was apart of the side that reached the ultimate in 2002 and also represented the team at 4 Africa Cup of Country Tournaments.

At club level, he represented four English clubs after arriving within the Premier League with Fulham in 2004 and was a part of the Portsmouth team that defeated Cardiff City in the 2008 FA Cup final.

Replacing Pedro Mendes it was Diop who took his place at the 78th minute during a match that was done due to a goal scored by Nwankwo Kanu who is also a Great from Nigeria.

Earlier in his career, he was a Swiss champion with Grasshoppers, having made the move to Swiss football and third-tier Vevey after being recognised by scouts while twiddling with ASC Diaraf in his homeland.

The legend was also a part of Neuchatel Xamax and also indulged with Lens. Being the runner-up in Ligue 1 in 2002 and then later on moving to England.

After leaving Pompey for AEK Athens in 2010, he won the Greek Cup, then returned to England to assist West Ham United secure promotion to the Premier League, before finishing his career with Birmingham City.

He was nicknamed as The Wardrobe as he stood 6 foot 5 and had an amazing presence on the midfield whereas Paul Scholes who is considered as the Man United legend has stated him as his toughest opponent earlier this year. In a Twitter statement released by the Planet administration after FIFA was told about the news of the saddening demise of the Senegal Legend proudly stated that Once a World Cup Hero, Always a World Cup hero.

 

By Salem Bin Amer

Engineer, Badminton player, Fitness enthusiast and a full-time Content writer.