A POIGNANT and emotional tribute was paid to late former Dunfermline star Sol Bamba ahead of Friday night's derby with Raith Rovers.

The 39-year-old, who spent just over two years at East End, passed away at the end of August, having been taken to hospital after falling ill.

The hugely popular centre back, who played 46 times for the Ivory Coast, had been working as technical director for Turkish club Adanaspor, who announced the news of his passing.

A minute's applause was held in Sol Bamba's memory ahead of the Fife derby with Raith Rovers.A minute's applause was held in Sol Bamba's memory ahead of the Fife derby with Raith Rovers. (Image: Craig Brown.)

Three years ago, Bamba had successfully battled cancer, but his wife, Chloe, said in a heartbreaking social media post that "it was never a fair fight and just when things were looking up he took a downturn and finally succumbed on 31st August".

READ MORE: IN PICTURES: Pars enjoy Friday night derby delight against Rovers

Dunfermline Press:

Signed by Jim Leishman, who said that his smile was "second to none", in the summer of 2006, the former Paris St Germain player went on to make 52 appearances for the Pars.

Sol Bamba starred as Dunfermline reached the Scottish Cup final in 2007.Sol Bamba starred as Dunfermline reached the Scottish Cup final in 2007. (Image: Craig Brown.)

He starred during their run to the 2007 Scottish Cup final, particularly in the semi-final against Hibernian, which Athletic won after a replay, whom he joined after leaving the club in August 2008.

(Image: Craig Brown.)

After three years at Easter Road, Bamba went on to enjoy a successful career with clubs such as Leicester City, where he worked with the late former England manager, Sven-Göran Eriksson, Leeds United, Cardiff City - with whom he won promotion to the Premier League - and Middlesbrough.

At international level, he represented his country at the 2008 Olympic Games - becoming the first serving Dunfermline player to do so - and helped them reach the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations final, whilst also playing at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Ahead of kick off against Raith, a minute's applause was held in his honour, during which supporters unfurled a banner and sang his name.

During the match, which was televised on BBC Scotland, Dunfermline's players also wore black armbands.

Goals from Ewan Otoo and David Wotherspoon, in the second half, saw the Pars win 2-0 to collect their first victory of the Championship season and move off the bottom of the table.