Tarak Dhiab (Arabic: طارق ذياب, born January 15, 1954) is a former professional footballer from Tunisia. The African Footballer of the Year in 1977, he is listed by the Tunisian Football Federation as having 107 caps for the Tunisia national team,[1] although this number has not been ratified by FIFA. At the 1978 FIFA World Cup, he was a member of the Tunisia national team that became the first national team from Africa to win a World Cup match. Dhiab was chosen as the Tunisian footballer of the 20th century.
Tarak Dhiab | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 Dhiab in 2012 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Minister of Youth and Sports | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office 24 December 2011 – 29 January 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Slim Chaker | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Saber Bouatay | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal details | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | January 15, 1954 Tunis, Tunisia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Political party | Independent | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Occupation |
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He has served as Minister of Youth and Sports under Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali since December 24, 2011.
Early life
editDhiab's football talent was discovered by his uncle, Hedi Dhiab.
Career
editDhiab assumed the midfield role with superb passing skills and an excellent scoring record from midfield.[citation needed] He formed a sound understanding with winger Témime Lahzami both at Espérance and on the Tunisian national team.[citation needed]
Dhiab was awarded the African Footballer of the Year title in 1977 and played a pivotal role in helping Tunisia qualifying for the 1978 FIFA World Cup. At the World Cup, Tunisia won a group stage match 3–1 against Mexico, becoming the first national team from Africa to win a match at the World Cup.[2] In coverage relating to the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Dhiab was mentioned as Tunisia's "World Cup legend" by the BBC[3] and as one of Tunisia's greatest World Cup players by the CBC.[4]
He is widely regarded as one of Tunisia's all-time greats, and arguably the greatest midfield playmaker the country has produced.[citation needed] Though he never played in a major European league, many believe he was able to hold his own among international playmakers in this period.[citation needed] Dhiab's international career spanned 16 years; his final international match came against England in 1990.
Personal life
editDhiab's younger brother Lassad Dhiab also followed his footsteps and joined Esperance, having a productive career.[citation needed]
Dhiab is now a television football analyst. He is also a businessman,[2] and Tunisian magazine Réalités reported in 2004 that he was trying to start his own satellite sports channel.[5] He works as a TV presenter and sports analyst for beIN Sports MENA in Doha, Qatar.[6]
Honours
edit- Win the Tunisian Ligue six times in 1975, 1976, 1982, 1985, 1988, 1989 with ES Tunis
- Win the Tunisian President Cup five times in 1978, 1979, 1980, 1986, 1989 with ES Tunis
- Win the Saudi King's Cup in 1983 with Al-Ahli SC
- Runner-up in the 1986 Arab Club Champions Cup with ES Tunis
Tunisia
- Participation 1978 FIFA World Cup in Argentina
- Participation in the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul
Individual
- Best African Footballer of the Year in 1977
- Best player of the Saudi Professional League in 1983
- Best Tunisian player of the century
References
edit- ^ "Players with 100+ Caps and 30+ International Goals". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. March 19, 2008. Retrieved March 24, 2008.
- ^ a b Huesu, Emmanuel (May 24, 2002). "1978: Tunisia break the jinx". BBC Sport Online. Retrieved March 24, 2008.
- ^ "Tunisia team guide". BBC Sport Online. May 22, 2006. Retrieved March 24, 2008.
- ^ "World Cup 2006 – Teams – Tunisia". CBC Sports. Retrieved March 24, 2008.
- ^ "4 New TV Stations for Tunisia". February 25, 2004. Retrieved March 24, 2008.
- ^ "Tarak Dhiab".
External links
edit- Tarak Dhiab at National-Football-Teams.com