Zoubier Baya from WC2002
Zoubier Baya
Born 15th May 1971 in Sousse, Zoubier Baya lead a distinguished career as one of Tunisia’s most accomplished soccer exports. Baya, an attacking midfielder, displayed considerable skill and enterprise on the international scene, and he provided the North African nation with vast international experience.
Twice named Tunisian Footballer of the Year, Baya suited up for his country at the 1998 World Cup in France and at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. He was also a key member of Tunisian sides that competed at the 1998, 2000 and 2002 African Nations Cup finals. He made his international swansong at the 2002 World Cup, retiring shortly afterwards.
Baya began his soccer career at Etoile de Sahel, helping the Tunisian club win the Confederation of African Football Cup. He made his first international debut for Tunisia on September 4, 1994 against Guinea-Bissau. Over the past eight years, he has became an integral player for his country, earning 75 caps and scoring 18 goals for his country.
His hard work at Etoile de Sahel did not go unnoticed, as Bundesliga club SC Freiburg signed him to a contract in 1997. In four seasons in Germany, Baya established himself as a star player and a regular starter, scoring 21 goals.
In 2001, Baya was on the move again, this time venturing to Turkey after signing with Besiktas. Baya was instrumental in helping Tunisia qualify for its second consecutive World Cup finals. He started in all eight games during the qualification round and scored six goals, finishing as his country’s top goal scorer and one of the bright spots on a team wracked by inconsistency in the previous year. After the 2002 World Cup he returned to Etoile de Sahel to play out the rest of his playing career.
