Roger Milla, a veteran of African football, has spoken out in support of those who believe African teams will have an impact in the FIFA World Cup, which starts in Qatar on Sunday of next week.
The legendary Cameroonian footballer argued that genuine self-belief was essential for African teams to thrive.
Along with Cameroon, Ghana, Morocco, and Tunisia, Senegal, the current African champions, will participate in the competition, which will be contested in the Arab world for the first time.
The title game will be played on December 18, and the opening match will be between the hosts and Ecuador on November 20.
“Now is a good time to show that Africa has the best football players and the best teams in the world,” the 70-year-old told newsmen yesterday.
“We have to make our players understand that we can compete with the biggest teams. We have everything to compete with them.
“It’s up to us to get to work. We struggled for a few years but I’ve seen African football develop a lot. Now it’s time and we will see in Qatar.”
Former Cameroonian striker Milla played in three World Cups and shot to fame in 1990 in Italy when, at the age of 38, he scored four goals to help his nation become the first African team to get to the quarterfinals.
In the World Cup competitions of 2002 and 2010, Senegal and Ghana both accomplished the feat.
Even while he acknowledges it will be challenging to actually win the trophy, Milla believes the African squad may advance further than its previous record of reaching the last eight.
“We are a continent blessed with great footballers – we can go further than the quarter-finals. But I’ve always said that for an African country to win the World Cup, it’s hard work first of all (that is needed).
“It’s discipline and organisation. If we look at other countries today, we are at their level in football but we now have to be well-organised (too).
“I am very happy that Cameroon led the way and showed the world that Africa has teams that can compete with the greatest in the world.
“It’s not just Cameroon, Senegal or Ghana – there are other countries that can represent our continent proudly.”
Senegal, which won the Africa Cup of Nations this year and boasts Ballon d’Or runner-up Sadio Mane, will compete in Group A against the hosts Qatar, the Netherlands, and Ecuador, while Tunisia will compete in Group D against the reigning champions France, Denmark, and Australia.
Cameroon will face five-time winners Brazil, Serbia, and Switzerland while Morocco’s Atlas Lions will face the 2018 runners-up Croatia, Belgium, and Canada.
The team that prevented Ghana from becoming the first African nation to reach the Globe Cup semifinal stage in the 2010 finals in South Africa is Uruguay. Ghana is the lowest-ranked team competing at the finals, coming in at 61st in the world. Their opponents are Portugal, South Korea, and Uruguay.