Senegal 2002: Where are they now?

Senegal’s No. 1 during the World Cup in 2002, he ended his career in 2010 following spells with LOSC Lille and Trabzonspor, and subsequently went into coaching.

He was appointed goalkeeper coach of the national side by Aliou Cisse when the current Teranga Lions head coach took the reins of the side.

Sochaux full-back who retired from the game in 2013.

He’s currently head coach of Ligue 2 side Dijon, having previously been assistant manager of the national side and taken charge of his former club, Sochaux.

Struggled on loan at Birmingham City after being one of the many players in the squad to have moved to English football, he later featured in Italian football for Perugia and Parma.

He remains a vocal commentator on Senegalese football.

Current head coach of the national side, Cisse has taken his legend to new heights since taking charge of the Teranga Lions.

He’s qualified them to two consecutive World Cups for the first time in their history, while also winning the country’s first Africa Cup of Nations title.

Could he also ensure Senegal’s progression to the knockouts on Tuesday?

Injures affected the latter part of his career, although he did represent the likes of Olympique Lyonnais and Newcastle United after his World Cup heroics.

He’s currently working as part of Cisse’s international setup, as Senegal’s Team Manager and Coordinator.

Retired in 2012, with Noisy-le-Sec being his last club, Sarr spent the entirety of his career in France apart from a brief six-month spell in Spain with Alaves.

A star of the ’02 World Cup, but it represented the highlight of his career.

Things unravelled at Liverpool, and while he restored his reputation somewhat at StokeCity, it was too late for Diao to ever reach the heights that were once expected.

He has subsequently set up not-for-profit organisation Sport4Africa, and has worked as club ambassador for both Liverpool and StokeCity.

Diao has an LMA Diploma in Football Management from the University of Liverpool.

The Wardrobe was an FA Cup winner at Portsmouth under Harry Redknapp, and also featured for Fulham in the Premier League.

He passed away in 2020, following a battle with motor neurone disease, having retired in 2013.

A Caf legend, Fadiga has also worked with Time Sports and other outlets as a media pundit since hanging up his boots.

His son Noah was on the fringes of Senegal’s World Cup squad, but didn’t make the cut for the 2022 team.

Featured in English football for the likes of West Ham United, Wolvers, Southampton and Wigan Athletic after his World Cup exploits, he was playing as recently as 2018—well into his 40s.

His last club was Greek side AP Fostiras.

Senegal’s star in 2002, Diouf’s move to Liverpool didn’t work out, although he did remain in British football for a decade, carving out a decent career with the likes of Bolton Wanderers, Sunderland, Blackburn Rovers, Celtic and Leeds United.

He has taken on bona fide legend status with Caf—as an advisor to the former president—and has also advised President of Senegal, Macky Sall, on sporting matters.

His decisive backheel assist let in Henri Camara to score the Golden Goal winner against Sweden that sent Senegal to the quarters.

It was his career highlight, with the forward retiring in 2014 after a spell with Reunionois side USS Tamponnaise.

He’s currently head coach of Senegal’s home-based African Nations Championship squad.

The youngest player in the Senegal squad, Camara became a legend at Montpellier after 13 years with the club, breaking their appearance record.

Before retirement in 2020, he won the French title in 2012, and also broke the record as goals scored as a substitute in Ligue 1—with 26 strikes while coming off the bench.

He was nicknamed Camaradona by MHSC fans.

Managed Senegal after retirement—overseeing the national side from 2009 and 2012—but was dismissed after failing to qualify for the Nations Cup in Mali.

He has later taken up coaching roles with AS Kaloum in Guinea, Senegalese heavyweights Diaraf, and is currently president of local club ASC Linguere.

Remained in French football till 2007, when he departed Auxerre for a spell in Qatar.

He later returned to play in his homeland, and hung up his boots in 2017.

His international career fizzled out after the World Cup, although N’Diaye did go on to feature for the likes of Levante, Stade de Reims and AS Cannes.

He reached the French Cup final with Olympique de Marseille in 2004, playing alongside Didier Drogba and Fabien Barthez, and was hired by Liverpool to a scouting role in 2018.

He dropped out of the game in 2007, having played three matches for Scottish giants Rangers, although later attempted a comeback in the French lower leagues with La Vitreenne.

His coaching career is yet to truly take off.

One of the Senegalese success stories in English football in the aftermath of the World Cup, Faye signed for Portsmouth in 2003.

He also represented Newcastle United, Charlton Athletic and StokeCity in the top flight.

Since retirement in 2011, he’s become recognised in the local medial for his straight talking—and regular criticism of Senegalese players.

A French Cup winner in the months before the World Cup, Diop represented Guingamp and FC Metz after departing FC Lorient in 2005.

Since retirement, he’s held coaching roles with ASEC Ndiambour and Neuilly-sur-Marne.

Didn’t truly impress in English football with West Bromwich Albion or Walsall, and he promptly faded from view.

He never played for Senegal after 2002, but has since worked for Caf in an ambassadorial capacity.

Played for the likes of Olympique de Marseille and Newcastle United, and subsequently tried his hand at punditry in the aftermath of his playing career.

He’s currently the manager of Red Star of the Championnat National, and is reportedly being courted by Ligue 1 Brest.

One of the backup goalkeepers, who predominantly played for ASC Diaraf after the World Cup glory, as well as a brief spell in Turkish football with Sakaryaspor.

He was part of the Senegal squad at the 2004 Nations Cup.

Moved to Azerbaijani football in the years after the World Cup, winning the domestic title twice.

He retired in 2012 and has since worked for FC Baku as their goalkeeping coach.