Tarak Dhiab
Encyclopedia
Tarak Dhiab is a former footballer
from Tunisia
. The African Footballer of the Year
in 1977, he is listed by the Fédération Tunisienne de Football
as having 107 caps for the Tunisian national football team, although this number has not been ratified by FIFA
. At the 1978 FIFA World Cup
, he was a member of the Tunisian national team that was the first national team from African to win a World Cup
match. Tarak Dhiab was chosen The Tunisian footballer of the 20th century.
Témime Lahzami
both at Espérance and on the Tunisian national team.
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
. In coverage relating to the 2006 FIFA World Cup
, Dhiab was mentioned as Tunisia's "World Cup legend" by the BBC
and as one of Tunisia's greatest World Cup players by the CBC
.
He is widely regarded as one of Tunisia's all-time greats, and arguably the greatest midfield playmaker the country has produced. Though he never played in a major European league, many believe he was able to hold his own among international playmakers in this period. Dhiab's international career spanned 15 years; his final international match came against England
in 1990.
Dhiab is now a television football analyst. He is also a businessman, and Tunisian magazine Réalités reported in 2004 that he was trying to start his own satellite sports channel.
Tunisian President Cup: 1978, 1979, 1980, 1986, 1989
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
from Tunisia
Tunisia
Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
. The African Footballer of the Year
African Footballer of the Year
The African Footballer of the Year award, presented to the best African football player each year, has been conferred by the Confederation of African Football since 1992. An earlier African Footballer of the Year Golden Ball award was given out between 1970 and 1994 by France Football magazine...
in 1977, he is listed by the Fédération Tunisienne de Football
Fédération Tunisienne de Football
The Fédération Tunisienne de Football is the governing body of football in Tunisia. It was established in 1956.-Clubs:Clubs that have participated in the Division Nationale de Football between 1956 and 1996:*AMS Association Mégrine Sportive...
as having 107 caps for the Tunisian national football team, although this number has not been ratified by FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
. At the 1978 FIFA World Cup
1978 FIFA World Cup
The 1978 FIFA World Cup, the 11th staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in Argentina between 1 June and 25 June. The 1978 World Cup was won by Argentina who beat the Netherlands 3–1 after extra time in the final. This win was the first World Cup title for Argentina, who became the fifth...
, he was a member of the Tunisian national team that was the first national team from African to win a World Cup
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
match. Tarak Dhiab was chosen The Tunisian footballer of the 20th century.
Early life
Dhiab's football talent was discovered by his uncle, Hedi Dhiab, who developed Tarak's ambidextrousness. Dhiab joined the Tunisian club team Espérance Sportive de Tunis.Soccer career
Dhiab assumed the midfield role with superb passing skills and an excellent scoring record from midfield. He formed a sound understanding with wingerWinger (sport)
In certain sports, such as football, field hockey, ice hockey, handball, rugby union, lacrosse and rugby league, the term winger is the name of a position. It refers to positions on the extreme left and right sides of the pitch . In American football and Canadian football, the analogous position...
Témime Lahzami
Témime Lahzami
Témime Lahzami is a former Tunisian football winger.He was the captain of Tunisia's 1978 World Cup campaign.-References:...
both at Espérance and on the Tunisian national team.
Dhiab was awarded the African Footballer of the Year
African Footballer of the Year
The African Footballer of the Year award, presented to the best African football player each year, has been conferred by the Confederation of African Football since 1992. An earlier African Footballer of the Year Golden Ball award was given out between 1970 and 1994 by France Football magazine...
title in 1977 and played a pivotal role in helping Tunisia qualifying for the 1978 FIFA World Cup
1978 FIFA World Cup
The 1978 FIFA World Cup, the 11th staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in Argentina between 1 June and 25 June. The 1978 World Cup was won by Argentina who beat the Netherlands 3–1 after extra time in the final. This win was the first World Cup title for Argentina, who became the fifth...
. At the World Cup, Tunisia won a group stage match 3-1 against Mexico, becoming the first national team from Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
to win a match at the World Cup
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
. In coverage relating to the 2006 FIFA World Cup
2006 FIFA World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
, Dhiab was mentioned as Tunisia's "World Cup legend" by the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
and as one of Tunisia's greatest World Cup players by the CBC
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly known as CBC and officially as CBC/Radio-Canada, is a Canadian crown corporation that serves as the national public radio and television broadcaster...
.
He is widely regarded as one of Tunisia's all-time greats, and arguably the greatest midfield playmaker the country has produced. Though he never played in a major European league, many believe he was able to hold his own among international playmakers in this period. Dhiab's international career spanned 15 years; his final international match came against England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
in 1990.
Personal life
Dhiab's younger brother Lassad Dhiab also followed his footsteps and joined Esperance, having a productive career.Dhiab is now a television football analyst. He is also a businessman, and Tunisian magazine Réalités reported in 2004 that he was trying to start his own satellite sports channel.
Honours
Tunisian League: 1975, 1976, 1982, 1985, 1988, 1989Tunisian President Cup: 1978, 1979, 1980, 1986, 1989