Oh No! Senegal World Cup Hero Papa Diop Is Dead

Papa Bouba Diop

Papa Bouba Diop, a former Senegal midfielder has died.

Diop died at the age of 42 after a long illness, local media and the West African state’s football federation said on Sunday.

The Agence France Presse, AFP, reports that Diop is best known in his native country for scoring the winning goal against then defending champions France in the group stages of the 2002 World Cup.

The Senegalese squad went on to reach the quarter-finals of the tournament before they were knocked out by Turkey.

Diop’s club career included stints at French club Lens, Fulham, West Ham United and Birmingham City.

Victor Cisse, the secretary general of the Senegalese football federation, confirmed Diop’s death to AFP.