Feizal Rahman / 05 October 2009 Free Bet View Market

Once considered something of a novelty, African footballers now permeate each of Europe's major leagues.

Only three Premier League clubs currently don't have an African representative in their first team squad while, perhaps more significantly, only three of the 16 matchday one Champions League fixtures didn't feature an African on the pitch.

However, the influence of African countries on the world stage lags well behind. With the 2010 World Cup the first to be held on African soil, there is perfect opportunity for a home nation to finally make the breakthrough but how great an impact there will be remains under question.

Most African teams only began to compete in the World Cup at the start of the 1970's. Indeed, until 1992, South Africa were banned from any international participation owing to the former Apartheid regime. Up until 1970, Africa was represented only twice at the World Cup finals, on both occasions by an Arabic, North African nation - Egypt in 1934 and Morocco in 1970.

The first black African qualifiers were Zaire, whose 1974 appearance in Germany is best remembered by Ilunga Mwepu's over-enthusiastic defending of a Brazil free-kick. He was the defender who stormed out of the Zaire wall and lashed the ball upfield much to the bemusement of the Brazilian players and the amusement of every other spectator.

However, this turned out to be a moment of black comedy as it was later revealed that having already lost 9-0 to Yugoslavia, the kleptocratic President Mubuto of Zaire issued a warning to the players that they would not be welcome back in their country if they lost to Brazil by a scoreline of 4-0 or worse. Having also been told they would not be paid what had been promised to them, the Zaire players hardly had the best circumstances with which to acquit themselves or represent Africa.

With that less than auspicious appearance, it was not until the 1990 World Cup in Italy that an African side drew notable attention. Having shocked reigning champions Argentina in the opening game with a 1-0 win, Cameroon went on to become the first African side to reach the quarter-finals, where they gave England an almighty scare before finally being edged out in extra-time.

The 1990 World Cup is emotive for many fans but it was perhaps the striking performance of the Cameroon side, led by the middle-aged Roger Milla, that has the most sentiment. With the chaotic vibrancy of their play - albeit matched with a lack of tactical nous and discipline - the 'Indomitable Lions' won over many neutrals and this provided inspiration for the rest of African football to showcase its talent.

Four years later saw the emergence of an exciting Nigeria side in the USA, with individuals such as Jay Jay Okocha, Finidi George and Sunday Oliseh all going on to play for major European clubs. Yet, it took until 2002 for an African side to match the relatively heady heights of 1990 when Senegal made a virtual carbon-copy of Cameroon's feat by beating holders France in the opener before going on to make the quarter-finals. The energetic flair of the Senegalese opened the eyes of several Premier League sides who signed up the likes of El Hadji Diouf, Salif Diao and Aliou Cisse.

With Didier Drogba and Samuel Eto'o now two of the most dominant strikers in world football ([34.0] and [36.0] respectively be top Champions League goalscorer 2009/10) and Chelsea's Michael Essien and Barcelona's Yaya Toure two of the most dynamic midfielders, it's at the back where Africa lacks genuine world class ability.

Manchester City captain Kolo Toure is perhaps the most prominent defender but despite his experience he wouldn't make most people's shortlist of top centre-backs. Ghana's John Mensah has been given a chance to impress in the Premier League and will have plenty of chance to prove his defensive qualities on loan at Sunderland ([7.2] to win Premier League with 38 point handicap). Yet, despite having numerous European coaches to add a pre-meditated tactical awareness to the impromptu attacking inclinations, African sides continue to let themselves down at the back.

While the continued presence of African players within Europe's elite can ultimately only aid their national sides, there are more structural problems within the African game as a clear lack of funding and organisational efficiency denies those players the same treatment that they enjoy at their clubs. While governmental interference in many countries continues to hamper progress, political gain will take precedence over sporting achievement and not even the magical powers of football can right certain wrongs in the world.

Led by Chelsea's Didier Drogba and Michael Essien, Ivory Coast ([42.0]) and Ghana ([80.0]) offer Africa's best chance of success in South Africa but, barring a miracle, it remains too big a task to overcome tfootball's superpowers.

Given it's short international history, African football has made great strides and the foundations of a world-beating side are being constructed. But while the sleeping giant may be stirring, there's still some time before it really comes alive.