"Essamaay Bocandé, The Panther" retraces the extraordinary journey of Jules François Bocandé, a legendary figure in Senegalese football. A feared striker and charismatic captain, Bocandé made history with his fighting spirit and elegance on the pitch.
This documentary reveals the man behind the myth : his humble beginnings with Casa-Sports, his meteoric rise in Belgium, and his breakthrough with FC Metz, where he became the top scorer in the French championship. He played a pivotal role in the golden era of Senegalese football. After an 18-year absence from the Africa Cup of Nations, Bocandé and his teammates qualified Senegal for the continent’s biggest competition with a hat-trick against Zimbabwe. Through rare archival footage, powerful testimonies, and vibrant storytelling, the film captures the aura of the man nicknamed Essamaay, “the Panther of Casamance,” an icon whose sporting and human legacy continues to inspire generations.