Khaled Badra
Encyclopedia
Khaled Badra is a retired Tunisian
footballer
, who recently retired from international football, he last played for Tunisian League side Espérance of Tunis
. Reliable and strong in the tackle, he has even been labelled the Tunisian Desailly.
, Badra joined Espérance in 1996 and made a name for himself in the country as a powerful and uncompromising centre-back, who could also score from set pieces. He earned a call up to the Tunisian national football team for the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta at the age of 23 and became a virtual ever-present after that. His good form for the national side was mirrored in Tunisian competitions, where he has led Espérance to continuous league triumphs.
His club football career has been varied – solid and loyal service interpersed by short spells abroad. He also played for Genoa C.F.C.
in Seria B, Al-Ahli Jeddah in Saudi Premier League
, and Denizlispor
in the Turkish league. He plans to see out his career at Espérance.
and 2002 World Cup
, as well as the three African Nations Cups in that time. His finest hour came in the 2004 African Nations Cup when Tunisia
hosted the games. He scored the all-important penalty kick against Nigeria
that sent Tunisia
through to the final, where Badra put in an awesome performance, helping Tunisia
to beat Morocco
and win the tournament. He decided to retire from international football following this.
Demographics of Tunisia
The majority of modern Tunisians are Arab-Berber orArabized Berber, and are speakers of Tunisian Arabic. However, there is also a small population of Berbers located in the Jabal Dahar mountains in the South East and on the island of Jerba...
footballer
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...
, who recently retired from international football, he last played for Tunisian League side Espérance of Tunis
Tunis
Tunis is the capital of both the Tunisian Republic and the Tunis Governorate. It is Tunisia's largest city, with a population of 728,453 as of 2004; the greater metropolitan area holds some 2,412,500 inhabitants....
. Reliable and strong in the tackle, he has even been labelled the Tunisian Desailly.
Career
After beginnings with his hometown's squad, Jeunesse Sportive KairouanaiseJeunesse Sportive Kairouanaise
Jeunesse Sportive Kairouanaise -Current First Team Squad:-External links:****...
, Badra joined Espérance in 1996 and made a name for himself in the country as a powerful and uncompromising centre-back, who could also score from set pieces. He earned a call up to the Tunisian national football team for the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta at the age of 23 and became a virtual ever-present after that. His good form for the national side was mirrored in Tunisian competitions, where he has led Espérance to continuous league triumphs.
His club football career has been varied – solid and loyal service interpersed by short spells abroad. He also played for Genoa C.F.C.
Genoa C.F.C.
Genoa Cricket and Football Club, commonly referred to simply as Genoa , is a professional Italian football club based in the city of Genoa, Liguria...
in Seria B, Al-Ahli Jeddah in Saudi Premier League
Saudi Premier League
The Saudi Professional League, officially known as , is the main football competition in Saudi Arabia. The first competition was held in the year of 1976–77...
, and Denizlispor
Denizlispor
Denizlispor is a sports club based in Denizli, Turkey. It is known by its distinct green and black colors. The club's branches include football, volleyball, basketball, table tennis, chess, and gymnastics...
in the Turkish league. He plans to see out his career at Espérance.
International career
Badra featured in both 1998 World Cup1998 World Cup
1998 World Cup may refer to:*1998 IAAF World Cup*1998 Men's Hockey World Cup*1998 Women's Hockey World Cup*1998 FIFA World Cup*1998 Alpine Skiing World Cup...
and 2002 World Cup
2002 World Cup
2002 World Cup may refer to:*Alpine skiing – 2002 Alpine Skiing World Cup*Athletics – 2002 IAAF World Cup*Field Hockey:** 2002 Men's World Hockey Cup** 2002 Women's World Hockey Cup...
, as well as the three African Nations Cups in that time. His finest hour came in the 2004 African Nations Cup when 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...
hosted the games. He scored the all-important penalty kick against Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
that sent 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...
through to the final, where Badra put in an awesome performance, helping 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...
to beat Morocco
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
and win the tournament. He decided to retire from international football following this.