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Papa Bouba Diop, Senegalese football legend
Photo:
imago / Pro Shots
Senegalese football mourns the loss of Papa Bouba Diop.
The 2002 World Cup hero died at the age of 42 after a long illness.
He experienced his greatest sporting moment at the 2002 World Cup when he scored the winning goal for the blatant underdog in the opening game against defending champions France.
The big favorite around superstar Zinédine Zidane was eliminated in the preliminary round, Senegal reached the quarter-finals in its first World Cup participation.
Diop had made 63 appearances for his country in his career, in which he scored eleven goals.
As a robust midfielder, who earned the nickname "The Wardrobe" in the Premier League, Diop could also be used in central defense.
In Europe he played for Xamax Neuchâtel, Grasshoppers Zurich, RC Lens, FC Fulham, FC Portsmouth and most recently until 2013 for Birmingham City.
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mas / dpa