2002 fifa world cup • The Best of Africa

El Hadji Diouf

by: admin - June 3rd, 2010 Filed under: Football Add Comment

El-Hadji Ousseynou Diouf (born 15 January 1981 in Saint-Louis) is a Senegalese footballer who currently plays as a forward but preferably as a right winger for English Premier League club Blackburn Rovers. Diouf is known for his versatility, and he can play on both wings and as a forward, he is also known for his controversies on and off the football field. He was selected by Pelé in the top 125 greatest living footballers of all-time.

Diouf’s international career started in April 2000 against Benin. He has earned 41 international caps and scored 16 goals for his country. He played for Senegal in their 2002 FIFA World Cup campaign and was elected to the World Cup All-Star team, after leading Senegal to the quarter-finals and victories over France (1–0) and Sweden (2–1). Senegal eventually lost 1–0 in extra time to Turkey. He was also part of the Senegal team who were the runners-up in the 2002 African Nations Cup. Diouf was banned from international football for four matches in 2004 for a verbal assault on referee Ali Bujsaim.

In 2004, he was named to the FIFA 100, a list of the 125 greatest living footballers selected by Pelé in conjunction with FIFA‘s centenary celebrations. In October 2007, Diouf retired from international football, stating he had been frustrated by organisational problems with the side. However, Senegal coach Henri Kasperczak announced later in the month that he would name Diouf in the next squad.

On 3 April 2009 he retired from the Senegal national football team after 41 games.

Taribo West

by: admin - July 2nd, 2009 Filed under: Football Add Comment

Taribo West (born March 26, 1974 in Port Harcourt, Lagos) is a former Nigerian footballer. West was a member of the Nigeria national team in two World Cups. He is also known for the various unusual and colourful hairstyles that he has sported over the years.

From humble beginnings in Nigeria, Taribo has built a reputation as an internationally renowned, hard-tackling defender with tremendous heading ability and a deft touch for such a big man.

Taribo moved to France in 1993 spending four years at Auxerre. He was part of a successful team that won the league championship and two French Cups. A deeply religious man, Taribo seems to ooze class both on and off the football pitch[citation needed].
Clearly the exposure helped Taribo, as he moved on to Inter Milan, where he played a vital role in capturing the UEFA Cup title in 1998.

Taribo found himself at the centre of heated transfer speculation at then end of the 1998/1999 season following clashes with former Inter coach, Mircea Lucescu. Once Marcelo Lippi took over the club, it became apparent that Taribo had to move on. After many months of talks wih various clubs, including Newcastle United, Liverpool, Ajax and Juventus, Taribo joined Inter’s rivals, AC Milan ! He has helped them to secure a berth in next season’s UEFA Champions League.

He has been capped 41 times by the Nigeria national team and played in the 1998 and (all matches and minutes) and 2002 FIFA World Cup (two appearances).
He was also a member of the Nigerian team that won the gold medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia.