FORMER SENEGAL INTERNATIONAL BOUBA DIOP DIES AT AGE 42

Former Senegalese midfielder Papa Bouba Diop has passed away at the age of 42.

Diop who won the English FA Cup with Portsmouth under Coach Harry Redkapp in 2008 when his team defeated Cardiff 1-0 in the final died following long illness.

Bouba Diop was a member of the heroic Teranga Lions team that stunned the world at the 2002 World Cup which he scored the only goal to beat defending champion France 1-0 on their opening game of the tournament. He went on to score two more goals in the competition against Uruguay in their 3-3 Group stage draw.

Senegal eventually reached the quarter-final stage of the tournament and was eliminated by Turkey in the final eight. He played a pivot role in Senegalese superb performance at the 2002 African Cup of Nations, which the Ternga Lions were defeated in the final.

He played most part of his professional career playing in the English Premier League. Diop joined Fulham in 2004 from Racing Club de Lens and later joined Portsmouth before playing for West Ham and Birmingham City. He won the English FA Cup with Portsmouth in 2008 the team that had former Nigeria International Nwankwo Kanu.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) in its twitter page has expressed shock over the demise of the former Senegalese midfielder. The NFF sympathized with the Senegalese FA and the family,

‘”We are sad to hear the sudden demise of former Senegalese midfielder, Papa Bouba Diop. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Senegalese FA and his family. May his soul rest in peace.”

The late Papa Bouba Diop had 63 caps for the Teranga Lions, scoring 11 goals. He was aged 42.