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Qatar 2022: Why Senegal captain wore no. 19 on his armband

Senegal qualified for the knockout phase with a 2-1 win against Ecuador

Koulibaly-senegal-wc-ap Senegal's Kalidou Koulibaly celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the World Cup group A match against Ecuador, in Doha | AP

Papa Bouba Diop. The name is as memorable as the man's exploits in the 2002 FIFA World Cup held in Japan and South Korea.

Diop scored the solitary goal in Senegal's win against then holders France in 2002, and a brace in a 3-3 draw with Uruguay in their last group game. Senegal's giant-killing run to the quarterfinal is one of the greatest stories of the 92-year history of the tournament, and Diop was the storyteller.

So, it was only fitting that when, after two decades of the glorious chapter and two years after Diop passed away at 42, Senegal qualified for the knockout stage again, they chose to dedicate it to the legend.

Equador needed only a draw against Senegal to advance to the round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar, but it was not to be. Winger Ismaila Sarr gave Senegal the lead through a 44th minute penalty but Ecuador equalised through Moises Caicedo. Their joy, however, did not last long as captain Kalidou Koulibaly restored Senegal's lead, thus booking a place in the last 16.

Koulibaly wore a special armband with Diop's number 19 and the players held a banner with a portrait of the midfielder, who died at 42.

"This victory and this (man-of-the-match) trophy are for the family of Papa Bouba Diop, this is a very special day," an emotional Koulibaly told reporters. He called it "one of the most important game of our careers".

"We wanted to commemorate the great player he was, he's a legend of Senegalese football, he made me dream, he made all of us dream so we could not mess it up on the anniversary of his death."

Diop, reportedly, had Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, and died of long illness.

He made 63 appearances for his country, scoring 11 goals.

Diop started his club career at Senegalese side ASC Diaraf before spells in Switzerland at Vevey, Neuchatel Xamax and Grasshoppers. He joined French side Lens in 2002.

He spent three years at Fulham, before a transfer to Portsmouth, where he was part of the team that won the 2007-08 FA Cup.

He also had short stints at West Ham United and Birmingham City before retiring seven years ago.

The African champions finished second in Group A with six points from three matches, one behind winners Netherlands and two ahead of Ecuador. Senegal will face the winner of Group B, which features England, Iran, the United States and Wales.

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