By Amaechi Agbo

The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF has expressed sadness over the death of former Senegalese forward, Papa Bouba Diop.

The federation also sent in their condolence message to the Senegalese Football Association and the family of the late 2002 World Cup hero

Papa Bouba Diop died on Sunday, November 29, 2020 after suffering from a prolonged illness.

“We are sad to hear of the sudden demise of former Senegalese midfielder, Papa Bouba Diop,” NFF said on its Twitter handle on Sunday

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Senegalese FA and his family. May his soul Rest In Peace.”

Pape Bouba Diop died at the age of 42

Diop was one of the 2000 generation of the Senegalese national team and stood out at the 2002 World Cup by scoring the first goal of the country’s goals at the world cup, consecrating the victory of Senegal against France.

Diop was born in Rufisque, Dakar.

He began his football career with junior team Ndeffann Saltigue before joining ASC Diaraf of the Senegal Premier League in 1996.

He left Senegal for Switzerland, where he spent a few months with third-tier club Vevey before signing as a professional for Ligue Nationale A club Neuchâtel Xamax in the 2000 close season.

In December that same year, he joined fellow top-flight club Grasshoppers whom he helped to the championship title in his first half-season and made his first appearance in UEFA competitions the next.

He moved to France in January 2002 to join Lens of Ligue 1 on a five-and-a-half-year contract

Diop who has 63 caps and scored 11 goals for Senegal, also played for Fulham, Portsmouth, AEK Athens, West Ham and Birmingham city.