RHADI Jaidi’s first taste of the World Cup came in the 2002 in South Korea and Japan.

It was only the third time Tunisia had qualified for the tournament.

The centre-back, who played 52 times for Wanderers in a two-year spell between 2004 and 2006, started every game of his country’s campaign in that 2002 finals.

But it was an unhappy experience as a draw with Belgium earned them their only point after opening with a 2-0 defeat to Russia and finishing on the wrong end of the same scoreline against Japan.

Four years later, in Germany, it was a similar story as Tunisia again crashed out in the group stage.

But Jaidi hit the headlines when he headed an equaliser deep into stoppage time to secure a 2-2 draw with Saudi Arabia.

This was the only point Tunisia picked up as losses to Spain and Ukraine dumped them out.

He also played a part in winning the African Cup of Nations in 2004, beating Morocco 2-1 in the final.

With 105 international appearances and seven goals, the defender is his country’s highest appearance maker.

After 11 years in his native Tunisia, Jaidi made the move to Wanderers on a free transfer, fresh from winning the Tunisian league title with Esperance.

The towering centre-back had a successful time, scoring eight goals before leaving to join Birmingham City.

After three years in the Midlands the Tunisian moved to Southampton before hanging up his boots in 2012.