Senegalese footballer Papa Bouba Diop dies at 42

The midfielder was instrumental in helping his national team reach the semi-finals of the 2002 World Cup

Former Senegal and Premier League midfielder Papa Bouba Diop has died at the age of 42, according to reports. PA Wire.

Former Senegal, Fulham and Portsmouth midfielder Papa Bouba Diop has died at the age of 42 after a long illness, the West African state's football federation said on Sunday.

Diop is best known in Senegal for scoring the winning goal for them against then defending champions France in the opening match of the 2002 World Cup.

Later in the competition, he scored twice in a 3-3 group stage draw with Uruguay.

The Senegalese squad went on to reach the quarter-finals of the tournament before they were knocked out by Turkey.

Diop was also part of the team that lost to Cameroon on penalties in the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations final.

He won the 2008 FA Cup with Portsmouth in a club career that included stints at French club Lens, Fulham, West Ham United and Birmingham City.

Victor Cisse, the secretary general of the Senegalese football federation, confirmed Diop's death to AFP.

Senegal's President Macky Sall said on Twitter on Sunday it was a "great loss" for the country.

"Once a World Cup hero, always a World Cup hero," Fifa posted on social media, while Diop’s old club Fulham said it was “devastated” by the news.

Liverpool's Senegalese midfielder Sadio Mane wrote a tribute to Diop on his Instagram account.

"Pape Bouba, it was with a broken heart that we learned of your (death). Know that you will forever remain in our hearts even if you left without saying goodbye to us."