Senegales Legend Diop dies at 42

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The former international, who represented his country at their first ever World Cup in 2002, has passed away following a long illness
Former Senegal international Papa Bouba Diop has passed away following a long illness at the age of 42.

Diop was part of the Teranga Lions side that stunned reigning world champions France 1-0 in the opening match of the 2002 World Cup, scoring the only goal of the game to secure one of the biggest shocks in the history of the competition.

Senegal ultimately reached the quarter-final of the tournament, with Diop going on to score twice in the West Africans’ 3-3 group-stage draw with Uruguay before they were eventually eliminated by Turkey in the final eight.

He was a member of Harry Redknapp’s FA Cup-winning Pompey team who defeated Cardiff City 1-0 in the 2008 final, being introduced late on for Pedro Mendes in a match settled by Nwankwo Kanu’s 37th-minute goal.

ASC Diaraf graduate Diop was a Swiss champion during his early career with Grasshoppers, having broken into the professional game with Neuchatel Xamax, and then went on to feature for Lens, where he was a Ligue 1 runner-up in 2002.

After leaving Portsmouth, he won the Greek Cup during a brief stint with AEK Athens.

Diop, who stood at 6’5″, was nicknamed ‘The Wardrobe’ during his career due to his height, aerial dominance and imposing presence in the midfield, and was once named by ex-Manchester United and England star Paul Scholes as being among his trickiest opponents.

Fulham tweeted on Sunday evening: “We are devastated to hear news reports this evening that Papa Bouba Diop has passed away, aged 42. Rest well, Wardrobe.”

He originally featured as a forward during his time in Switzerland, but was converted into a midfielder later in his career and even featured in the heart of the defence on occasion.