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One of Tunisia's most accomplished soccer exports,
attacking midfielder Zoubeir Baya is a player of considerable
skill and enterprise, and he provides the North African
nation with vast international experience.
Twice named Tunisian Footballer of the Year, Baya suited
up for his country at France '98 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.
Baya began his soccer career at Etoile 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 become an integral player for
his country, earning 75 caps and scoring 18 goals for
his country.
His hard work at Etoile Sahel did not go unnoticed,
as German 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.
Last year, 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. 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 past year.
With the majority of his teammates playing in the lowly
Tunisian domestic league, Baya, with experience playing
in the top European leagues, will be expected to provide
leadership and inspiration on the field.
Tunisia will also be looking for him bring a sense
of stability to a team that has suffered its share of
injuries and upheaval, while its fans, having had their
taste for international success whetted, expect more
all the time.
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