2022 FIFA World Cup: Tribute to Pape Bouba Diop brings World Cup luck as Teranga lions triumph

Senegalese National team and fans ahead of their last group stage game against Ecuador honored their legend, Pape Diop.

Fans had designed them with paintings of his favorite number 19, many held his jersey, and the captain Koulibally had an armband with 19 on it. After the well-deserved win warranting qualification, the entire team celebrated with an image of him with the caption “A TRUE LION NEVER DIES”.

This marked his death anniversary as he left for the world beyond on November 29th, 2020.

Pape happened to have scored Senegal’s first-ever World Cup goal when their golden generation in Japan/ Korea in 2002 beat defending Champions France by 0-1.

Diop has Africa’s star man in that tournament scoring three of Senegal’s goals with two coming against Uruguay and they went right to the 8th finals before being eliminated by Turkey.

So unfortunately Pape didn’t get to see Senegal lift an international trophy as his generational mates like Diouf and Fadiga in the last AFCON.

Many football fans around the world have seen this great action as a bet for luck as it was honorable and brought about honorable results.

Senegal will face England in their round of 16 knockout games on Sunday 4th December with all seeking to make it to the quarter-finals.

A battle of lions as the Teranga Lions will take on the three lions, will Pape Diop’s spirit continue to bring luck to the Senegal side as they seek to make a difference in Qatar?

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