Giza — CAF President Issa Hayatou has expressed shock at the death of Senegal legend Jules Francois Bocande. The ex Teranga Lions forward passed away on Monday (May 7) in Metz, France following a surgery. He was 53.
Hayatou describes the death as another blow for African football following the demise of former Nigeria striker Rashidi Yekini last weekend.
“I remember perfectly that player was of passion and pride, and his ability to tore apart defences. I still remember the opening match of the 1992 Africa Cup of Nations between hosts Senegal and Nigeria that pitted Bocande against Rashidi Yekini. Bocande equalized for Senegal, who went on to lose 1-2.
“On my behalf, the CAF Executive Committee and African football family, I expressed my condolences to the Senegal Football Federation, his family and the people of Ziguinchor. Our thoughts are with you at this critical period.”
Bocande, a national icon was no doubt one of the greatest football talents to have emerged from the West African football. His demise come barely 72-hours after the death of Ex-Nigeria striker Rashidi Yekini.
The dreadlocked forward made his name in France, where he was crowned top scorer during the 1985-1986 season after scoring 23 goals for Metz. He also had stints with Paris Saint-Germain, OGC Nice and RC Lens.
After hanging his boots, he briefly handled the Teranga Lions between 1994 and 195, as well as deputized for Frenchman Bruno Metsu during the 2002 FIFA World Cup. In 2009, he was named by CAF as an African Football legend alongside Stephen Keshin of Nigeria and Angolan Osvaldo Saturnino de Oliviera “Jesus” at the CAF Awards Gala held in Accra, Ghana.
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I met Jules Francois Boacande at the Ziguinchor Airport one day about 2002. He was part of a rally against the War in the Casamance which was raging at that time. It was evident in talking to him that Bocande was a class individual as well as a very popular sports icon. The impression I had was that everyone loved him.