Thirteen years ago, Jules Bocandé left us

Thirteen years ago to the day, the legendary Jules Bocandé left us far too soon at the age of 53, following a surgical operation. On May 7, 2012, the "Mother Continent" lost one of its most beloved sons, but the footballing exploits of the former star striker of Senegal's Lions will forever be etched in the annals of Senegalese and African football legends.

An idol for an entire generation in Senegal during the 1980s, the illustrious "serial scorer" for FC Metz and Paris Saint-Germain, Jules Bocandé terrorized many defenses on the pitches of French Ligue 1, even finishing as the league's top scorer with 23 goals in the 1985-86 season. Over 223 matches in Ligue 1, he found the back of the net 69 times.

Jules Bocandé, the dreadlocked striker

The dreadlocked striker also contributed in 1984 to one of French football’s greatest feats, helping FC Metz knock out FC Barcelona in the European Cup Winners' Cup with a stunning 4-1 victory in Catalonia, after losing the first leg 4-2.

A key player for the "Lions of Teranga," he also led his country to a memorable qualification for the 1986 Africa Cup of Nations, notably scoring a historic hat-trick against Zimbabwe (3-0) during the qualifiers.

Jules Bocandé's honors:

With the national team:

• 73 caps between 1979 and 1993
• 20 goals
• Three appearances at the Africa Cup of Nations: 1986 (First Round), 1990 (Semi-finalist), and 1992 (Quarter-finalist)

At club level:

• Top scorer in French Ligue 1 1985-86 with FC Metz (23 goals)
• Winner of the Senegal Cup in 1979 with Casa Sport
• Senegal Cup finalist in 1980 with Casa Sport

Professional career:

• 1978-1980: Casa Sport (Senegal)
• 1980-1982: US Tournaisienne (Belgium)
• 1982-1984: RFC Sérésien (Belgium)
• 1984-1986: FC Metz (France)
• 1986-1987: Paris Saint-Germain (France)
• 1987-1991: OGC Nice (France)
• 1991-1992: RC Lens (France)
• 1992-1993: Eendracht Aalst (Belgium)

Amine Jomni |

Editorfr

African football writer and sports journalist covering football news, stories and insights while sharing his expertise with fans across the continent.