Late Senegal international, Papa Bouba Diop has been laid to rest in Dakar, the Senegalese capital, with President Macky Sall announcing that the new stadium’s museum will be named after him.
Diop passed away last week following a long-term illness. He died at the age of 42.
He was given a state funeral in Dakar, in an event attended by his former teammates, most notably national team coach Aliou Cisse, former African footballer of the Year, El Hadj Diouf and a host of others.
Diop’s family was also present at the ceremony.
Read: Senegal Football Legend Diop Dies Aged 42
The former Portsmouth, Fulham and RC Lens midfielder scored the country’s first-ever goal at the World Cup against France in 2002. His stock rose after the World Cup and he toured Europe in a quite glorious career.
He was also part of a golden generation of Senegalese footballers who made it to the final of the 2002 African Cup of Nations before losing to Cameroon on penalties. The Teranga Lions he was a member of, also made it to the Quarterfinal of the 2002 World Cup, equalling Cameroon’s record at the Italia 90’ edition of the global football showpiece.
Cisse, who is masterminding a new generation of world-beaters in Senegal shed tears as his friend was laid to rest.
