Amara Diané
Encyclopedia
Amara Diané is an Ivorian football striker
who plays for Qatari club Al-Gharafa Sports Club and the Côte d'Ivoire national team
.
. After another fine season he was signed by Ligue 1 club RC Strasbourg
. Another impressive season for the young striker followed, and after the eventual relegation of Strasbourg at the end of the season, he was linked with a number of clubs throughout Europe. Eventually, Paris Saint-Germain paid £2,300,000 for his services, signing him on a 4 year deal.
In May 2008 it was reported that English Premiership sides Newcastle United
and Portsmouth
were interested in signing the Ivorian, who was the seasons top scorer at his club in the 2007/08 Ligue 1 season. He scored two goals in PSG's last game of the season to ensure they stayed in the top flight of French football, in what would be his last game for the club.
In July 2008 Diané was transferred from PSG to Qatari club Al-Rayyan Sports Club for a fee believed to be in the region of €8 million. He signed a contact worth €10 million over four years.Than he signed a contract with Al Gharafa Sports Club.Diané cited mainly financial reasons for he decision to move to Qatar stating “From now I want to ensure my family’s financial future. And only a Qatari club can permit me to do it.”
for their friendly against Senegal
on 18 August 2006. However, due to a groin injury he missed out on playing, also missing the African Cup of Nations
qualifier against Gabon
where the Elephants won 5-0, with Arouna Koné
scoring a hat trick. He was again called up to the national squad for the friendly against Sweden on 15 November 2006, along with fellow PSG player and former Cote d'Ivoire captain Bonaventure Kalou. However, he was an unused substitute in the game.
In March 2007 he was one of four players to receive a late call-up for the Ivorian's African Cup of Nations qualifier against Madagascar
in Antananarivo
, due to injuries to other members of the squad. Amara made his presence felt in the tie against Madagascar with the third goal, and his first for the Elephants, in the teams 3-0 victory. Amara was named in the Elephants provisional squad for the 2008 African Cup of Nations
in Ghana
, but was left out of the final squad, with the Ivorian's wealth of attacking options limiting his chances.
Al-Rayyan Sports Club
Al-Gharafa Sports Club
Striker
Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
who plays for Qatari club Al-Gharafa Sports Club and the Côte d'Ivoire national team
Côte d'Ivoire national football team
The Côte d'Ivoire National Football Team or Ivory Coast National Football Team, nicknamed Les Éléphants , represents Côte d'Ivoire in international football and is controlled by the Fédération Ivoirienne de Football...
.
Club career
At the start of his career Amara trained at the famous youth academy at Ivory Coast club ASEC Abidjan, before moving to the Parisian suburbs, where he joined French Club FC Mantes. Following his spell here, he moved to French fifth-tier club Roye in December 2000. In the 2002/2003 season, he found his feet, scored 26 goals in 34 games, and earning a transfer to Ligue 2 club ReimsStade Reims
Stade de Reims is a French association football club based in Reims. The club was formed in 1911 under the name Société Sportive du Parc Pommery and currently play in Ligue 2, the second level of French football having achieved promotion to the league following the 2009–10 season...
. After another fine season he was signed by Ligue 1 club RC Strasbourg
RC Strasbourg
Racing Club de Strasbourg is a French association football club founded in 1906 and professional since 1933, based in the city of Strasbourg, in Alsace...
. Another impressive season for the young striker followed, and after the eventual relegation of Strasbourg at the end of the season, he was linked with a number of clubs throughout Europe. Eventually, Paris Saint-Germain paid £2,300,000 for his services, signing him on a 4 year deal.
In May 2008 it was reported that English Premiership sides Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
and Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
were interested in signing the Ivorian, who was the seasons top scorer at his club in the 2007/08 Ligue 1 season. He scored two goals in PSG's last game of the season to ensure they stayed in the top flight of French football, in what would be his last game for the club.
In July 2008 Diané was transferred from PSG to Qatari club Al-Rayyan Sports Club for a fee believed to be in the region of €8 million. He signed a contact worth €10 million over four years.Than he signed a contract with Al Gharafa Sports Club.Diané cited mainly financial reasons for he decision to move to Qatar stating “From now I want to ensure my family’s financial future. And only a Qatari club can permit me to do it.”
National team
He was called up to the Ivory Coast national teamCôte d'Ivoire national football team
The Côte d'Ivoire National Football Team or Ivory Coast National Football Team, nicknamed Les Éléphants , represents Côte d'Ivoire in international football and is controlled by the Fédération Ivoirienne de Football...
for their friendly against Senegal
Senegal national football team
The Senegal national football team, nicknamed the Lions of Teranga, is the national team of Senegal and is controlled by the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football...
on 18 August 2006. However, due to a groin injury he missed out on playing, also missing the African Cup of Nations
African Cup of Nations
The Africa Cup of Nations, also referred to as the African Cup of Nations or African Nations Cup, officially CAN , is the main international association football competition in Africa. It is sanctioned by the Confederation of African Football , and was first held in 1957. Since 1968, it has been...
qualifier against Gabon
Gabon national football team
The Gabon national football team, nicknamed Azingo Nationale, is the national team of Gabon and is controlled by the Fédération Gabonaise de Football...
where the Elephants won 5-0, with Arouna Koné
Arouna Koné
Arouna Koné is an Ivorian footballer who plays for Levante UD on loan from Sevilla FC in Spain, as a striker.-Early years:Born in Anyama, Koné started his football career with Rio Sport d'Anyama, a club based in his hometown...
scoring a hat trick. He was again called up to the national squad for the friendly against Sweden on 15 November 2006, along with fellow PSG player and former Cote d'Ivoire captain Bonaventure Kalou. However, he was an unused substitute in the game.
In March 2007 he was one of four players to receive a late call-up for the Ivorian's African Cup of Nations qualifier against Madagascar
Madagascar national football team
The Madagascar national football team, nicknamed Les Guerriers Zébus , is the national team of Madagascar and is controlled by the Fédération Malagasy de Football. It has never qualified for the finals of the World Cup or the African Nations Cup...
in Antananarivo
Antananarivo
Antananarivo , formerly Tananarive , is the capital and largest city in Madagascar. It is also known by its French colonial shorthand form Tana....
, due to injuries to other members of the squad. Amara made his presence felt in the tie against Madagascar with the third goal, and his first for the Elephants, in the teams 3-0 victory. Amara was named in the Elephants provisional squad for the 2008 African Cup of Nations
2008 African Cup of Nations
The 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, also known as the MTN Africa Cup of Nations due to the competition's sponsorship by MTN, was the 26th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, the biennial football tournament for nations affiliated to the Confederation of African Football . The tournament was staged at...
in Ghana
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
, but was left out of the final squad, with the Ivorian's wealth of attacking options limiting his chances.
Goals for Senior National Team
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 25, 2007 | Antananarivo Antananarivo Antananarivo , formerly Tananarive , is the capital and largest city in Madagascar. It is also known by its French colonial shorthand form Tana.... , Madagascar Madagascar The Republic of Madagascar is an island country located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa... |
3-0 | Won | 2008 Africa Cup of Nations qualification | ||
| November 21, 2007 | Doha Doha Doha is the capital city of the state of Qatar. Located on the Persian Gulf, it had a population of 998,651 in 2008, and is also one of the municipalities of Qatar... , Qatar Qatar Qatar , also known as the State of Qatar or locally Dawlat Qaṭar, is a sovereign Arab state, located in the Middle East, occupying the small Qatar Peninsula on the northeasterly coast of the much larger Arabian Peninsula. Its sole land border is with Saudi Arabia to the south, with the rest of its... |
6-1 | Won | Friendly |
Honours
PSG- Coupe de la LigueCoupe de la LigueThe Coupe de la Ligue , known outside of France as the French League Cup, is a knockout cup competition in French football organized by the Ligue de Football Professionnel...
: 2008
Al-Rayyan Sports Club
- Emir of Qatar CupEmir of Qatar CupEmir of Qatar Cup is a tournament played every season by 16 first and second division teams. The most successful is Al Sadd who won the tournament 13 times...
: 20102010 Emir of Qatar CupThe 2010 Emir of Qatar Cup is the 38th edition of the is a cup tournament in men's football . It is played by the 1st and 2nd Level divisions of the Qatari football league structure....
Al-Gharafa Sports Club
- Qatar Crown Prince CupQatar Crown Prince CupThe Qatar Crown Prince Cup is a cup tournament in men's football. It is played by the top-4 teams of the Qatar National First Division after each season.-Previous winners:*1995 : Al Rayyan Club 1-0 Al-Arabi*1996 : Al Rayyan Club 2-0 Al-Wakra...
: 20112011 Qatar Crown Prince CupThe 2011 Qatar Crown Prince Cup is the 17th edition of the cup tournament in men's football . It is played by the top-4 teams of the Qatar Stars League after the end of each season.-2011 Participants:* Lekhwiya : 2010–11 Qatar Stars League Champion...