Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o
The 2010 World Cup will see a record six nations representing the continent of Africa, here we assess their hopes of making a major impact.
Algeria
Algeria will end a 24-year absence from football’s top table when they kick their first ball at the 2010 World Cup.
Les Fennecs (the Desert Foxes) may have won the CAF African Cup of Nations since appearing at Mexico 1986, but they spent a long time in the wilderness before slowly working their way back as a competitive force at the start of the century.
The current crop of players feel stronger than ever, with enough belief to put in a historic performance in South Africa.
Star Player
Antar Yahia (Defender, VfL Bochum)
Scorer of the goal that took Les Fennecs through to South Africa, Antar Yahia is one of the pillars at the back for his team, a status he shares with Madjid Bougherra, Nadir Belhadj and goalkeeper Lounes Gaouaoui.
Previous appearances
1982 – Group stage
1986 – Group stage
Cameroon
Though their light may have faded somewhat since they brightened up the world stage at the 1990 World Cup, Cameroon are not a side to underestimate in South Africa.
The top African nation in FIFA’s rankings, they also bring Africa’s richest pedigree to the finals. They have appeared a continental-best five times in the World Cup, and no other African side has yet eclipsed their historic run to the 1990 quarter-finals – though Senegal equalled the achievement in 2002.
Star Player
Samuel Eto’o (Striker, Internazionale)
Eto'o scored a total of nine goals in 11 qualifiers, and the world class striker will be the first player opposing coaches try to stop.
The promising Pierre Webó is the other main threat up front, while Jean Makoun, Stephane Mbia and Alexandre Song give the midfield a classy but rugged edge in front of mainstays Song, Geremi and Kameni.
Previous appearances
1982 – Group stage
1990 – Quarter-finals
1994 – Group stage
1998 – Group stage
2002 – Group stage
Ivory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire)
If an African team is to make a major impact on the 2010 World Cup, Côte d'Ivoire are seen by many as the most likely candidates. And with world class talent throughout the starting 11, it's no wonder.
Les Elephants also have a point to prove after being eliminated in the first round at Germany 2006, albeit in an extremely difficult group, where they lost 2-1 to giants Argentina and the Netherlands before coming from two goals down to beat Serbia and Montenegro 3-2.
Star player
Didier Drogba (Striker, Chelsea)
Les Elephants feature top-drawer talent throughout their side, with the Chelsea pair of Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou a formidable duo up front.
Sevilla's Didier Zokora and Barcelona's Yaya Toure provide bite in midfield alongside Marseille's diminutive Bakary Kone, while the England-based pair of Emmanuel Eboue and Kolo Toure combine with Stuttgart's Arthur Boka to form one of the best defences in Africa.
Previous appearances
2006 – Group stage
Ghana
The only African side to get out of the group stage at the 2006 World Cup and the first to qualify for South Africa 2010, Ghana are anxious to prove themselves as the cream of the continent.
Though this will be only their second appearance at the finals, the Black Stars have enjoyed considerable success at all levels of international football.
They have won four CAF African Cup of Nations titles, though none since 1982, as well as two FIFA U-17 World Cups, and they became the first African team to lift the FIFA U-20 World Cup when they beat Brazil on penalties in October 2009.
Star player
Michael Essien (Midfielder, Chelsea)
Although Ghana lack the attacking firepower of many African sides, they rely most prominently on a world class midfield led by Michael Essien.
The Chelsea man usually pairs with Sulley Muntari and captain Stephen Appiah to form a formidable engine room capable of both stifling attacks and creating them.
Previous appearances
2006 – Second round
Nigeria
Expectations are diminished for Nigeria in South Africa, but it was not long ago that the Super Eagles were seen as the most likely African nation to finally reach the last four of a FIFA World Cup.
And though they have just one point from their last five matches in the finals and missed out on Germany 2006 altogether, the continent’s most populous nation looks likely to be a dangerous dark horse with little to lose up against the world’s best.
Star player
Victor Obinna (Striker, Internazionale)
The Super Eagles have the ability to score a lot of goals in South Africa behind a pacy, dynamic attack that as well as Obinna, features the likes of Obafemi Martins, Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Peter Odemwingie, youngster Ikechukwu Uche and evergreen Nwankwo Kanu in what is surely his last role of the dice.
They won’t be a soft touch behind that either, with Jon Obi Mikel anchoring the midfield, and captain Joseph Yobo in the centre of defence.
Previous appearances
1994 – Second round
1998 – Second round
2002 – Group stage
South Africa
There is an air of cautious optimism in South Africa as the Rainbow Nation prepares to write what is undoubtedly the most significant chapter of its football history. A mammoth task lies ahead.
Recent years have brought ample disappointments, but Bafana Bafana have also shown, albeit in patches, that - given motivation and purpose - they can be a potent threat. And there can be no greater motivation than representing their country in a World Cup on home soil.
Star player
Steven Pienaar (Midfielder, Everton)
Talented midfield maestro Steven Pienaar is South Africa's prize assert. In the absence of the country's most successful striker, Benni McCarthy, who remains out of favour, Pienaar brings much-needed innovation and imagination to the side.
Since his arrival at Everton, Pienaar has reinvented himself and matured as an all-round player. While he continues to polarise opinion in his native country, no-one in South Africa disputes the confidence he exudes on the field and his ability to inject inspiration into the team's play.
Previous appearances
1998 – Group stage
2002 – Group stage
