Players with African roots Zidane is of Algerian origin The export of African football talent to Europe has a long history which can be traced back to the colonial period. For example, some of the finest players from Senegal and Cameroon have honed their skills in France - the former colonial master. However, the world is also awash with African-born players who changed nationality for one reason or another. Zinedine Zidane, Claude Makelele, Patrick Vieira and Marcel Desailly are some of the better-known stars of African origin. Our Out of Africa section will track the fortunes of players with African roots as they parade their skills in some of the world's top leagues. Listed below are some of the players with African roots and the countries they now represent. But if you know of any player of African origin whose name does not appear on our list, please let us know by emailing us at african.football@bbc.co.uk Zinedine Zidane: France (Algeria) Patrick Vieira: France (Senegal) Ibrahim Ba: France (Senegal) Lamine Sakho: France (Senegal) David Bellion: France (Senegal) Claude Makelele: France (DR Congo) Peguy Luyindula: France (DR Congo) Blaise N'Kufo: Switzerland (DR Congo) Emile Mpenza: Belgium (DR Congo) Mbo Mpenza: Belgium (DR Congo) Kiki Musampa: Holland (DR Congo) Ali Maboula Lukunku: France (DR Congo) Gaby Mudingayi: Belhium (DR Congo) Patrick Dimbala: Belgium (DR Congo) Vincent Kompany: Belgium (DR Congo) Freddy Adu: United States (Ghana) Gerald Asamoah: Germany (Ghana) Marcel Desailly: France (Ghana) George Boateng: Holland (Ghana) Eric & Daniel Ofori Okyere: Belgium (Ghana) Emmanuel Olisadebe: Poland (Nigeria) Shola Ameobi: England (Nigeria) Okonkwo Digger Ifeani: Malta (Nigeria) Ugochukwu Ehiogu:England (Nigeria) Ade Akinbiyi: England (Nigeria) George Ndah: England (Nigeria) Olivier Kapo: France (Ivory Coast) Djibril Cisse: France (Ivory Coast) Jean-Alain Boumsong: France (Cameroon) Charles Itanje: France (Cameroon) Bruno N'Gotty: France (Cameroon) Pascal Nouma: France (Cameroon) Sabri Lamouchi: France (Tunisia) Rami Shabaan: Sweden (Egypt) Carlton Cole: England (Nigeria/Sierra Leone) Fabio Liverani: Italy (Somalia) Youssouf Hersi: Holland (Ethiopia) Robert Earnshaw: Wales (Zambia) Abel Xavier: Portugal (Mozambique) Sean Dundee: Germany (South Africa) Yassine Benajiba: Belgium (Morocco) John Alieu Carew: Norway (Gambia) Frederic Kanoute: France (Mali)

Originally posted by flying-still: Jamaal or sthml lady. Do any of you have have the lyrics to that song by hassan aadan,,,its starts off with " jaceeyl dhiig ma lugu qoray....." If you do can you post it. Flying heesta Jamal baa qorey laakin its sang by M.S Tubeec not Samater.

Muraad Thats an interesting point you raised because almost all the people I know I refer to as Ina Hebel eventho I do know their first names.I can't quite say how this developed but thats the norm there in Somaliland.

Originally posted by Ibtilo: Warya Bari These are pictures of SOmaliland, and Axmed never even told us who these houses belong to, so please stop puting useless captions under the homes and lives of people you dont know, just because you have hateraid flowing in your vains. VIVA SOMALILAND, and much luck to all my Landers building up Somaliland. Bari Nomad Stick to what you know best, MOgadhisho ya dig. P.S. I thought you guys hated Edna Aden, whats up with all the pictures of her Nursing School? P.P.S. We(Landers) luv you Edna, keep up the good work, Ado. -Ibtilo Ibtilo Please refrain from nonsense outbursts that serve absolutely no purpose.I have seen these pics in their original website and Bari copied them in their original form. African You want the name of the Qat trader,well he's called Ina Af Diinle(thats how everyone knows him)That SOB is so freaking rich just getting people high.The house in the picture is one of the many homes he owns.

Originally posted by Ameenah: ^^^ Gediid Why didn't you tell me that your cousin just got out of jail and that he has 3 baby mothers... and that he paid you for my number --- saqajaanimada intaa leeg xagaad ka keentay? I thought we were friends but $25 dollars baad igu gadatey. Waa hagaag >>>> I'll get you for this. :mad: Ameenah Markaad aragtey my cuz were you not the girl igu tidhi "Hold my hand Gediid before my knees give up on me" Double standardska dee naga daa......

Some of the books he wrote include: Sweet and Sour Milk Naked Needle Maps From a Crooked Rib Gifts Secrets I have personally not read all of his books but my old man has a collection of all his writings.I only got to read his earlier books and as a kid was amazed by his choice of names such as Soyaan, Loyaan Duniya all ethnic Somali names and his vivid potrayal of love and romance.Growing up abroad that was the very first picture I had of this topic though as I grew older I learned things were different.I enjoyed reading his books laakin honestly I don't know whether being a good writer would intreprete into a good leader especially in light of the fact that he has been out of the country for the past 30 years or so.

^^^^^^^^^^^Laughed real hard at this Che

And I thought I got to know a smartie,you know like the type who can smell the needle in the haystack.From now on arrinku waa no more sarbeeb iyo Af carabi iyadoo FAR WAAWEYN AH baan soo tuurayaa.

Maybe waa is yeelyeel on your part ?

What a coincidence,only a week ago I was flying back from Boston and while I was waiting for my flight I saw a copy of the Onion on the seat next to mine.Started to read it and it had me cracking up.There was a old white lady sitting across from me and she started giving me those white stares when they see someone other than them having fun.

^^^^^^LOL thats what my friends say but then I never said they were correct.... Laakinse the 1 million $ question is waxaa African garatey ee aad garan weydey

One word saaxiib GROSS MISMANAGEMENT OF THE NATIONAL EXCHEQUER , even that a diehard sessionist like Oodweyne will dare refute.

Flying Everyone I've known in my life seem to agree on one quality I possess in abundance.......XISHOOD,markaas I think ama gonna take that road and show some here

OG puhlzzzz Just answer the question,why act like a fatherly figure,the girl seems set on pursuing a medical career,What makes you think there is an abundance of Somali doctors anyway?

^^^^^^^Dhulka ayaan khaatiyaan dumar kaga tagneen imikana ma cirkey noo soo baranayaan.Arrinku waa ceilings made of titanium in la sameysto.

Guys hold onto your horses,I think this is just a joke.Nuthin serious

Originally posted by flying-still: Geediid.....I smell a cheap knock off...Jamaal and Juxa.....you know I love you both y'all but you gotta pay up. Geediid how much do you think we should charge these copy cats? hmmmm? I just can't put a price to our lessons,they are simply priceless...laakin how bout getting them to name the offspring of this happy union after us. Ameenah Dee maxaa idhaa Dumaashi,even after aan ku siiyey my cousin Ali "goowsa weyne" weli dacaayed igama dhafeysid miyaa.

Flying Of all the characters whom did you like the most?

Aduun waxa ugu daran nin ragganimo sheekdey oo ruux dumar ah wax ka sheegayo.I guess Somalis were right when they said "Raggi turuqyada adkaa tunkoodu libaax ahaa Talaabo xumaa badaley" Xaasha in aan maanta meel public ah ruux dumar ah in aan amaan mooyaaney cay la tiigsado but I guess waxaad ceebta u taqaan nin bey caadadiidii tahay.

Flying still I think its about time you n I started collecting royalty fees.Our i jiid aan ku jiidee(Shukansi 101 to be more direct)is being adopted by other nomads.It would be dumb of us to not benefit from this. J & J (Jamal & Juxa) No gas needed here, seems to me like we have fire no sorry a bonfire burning all by itself.Keep it going guys. Inta kalena quick qalin iyo warqad.

Flying Still Knowing you, you must have bathed in their accolades a trillion times.I guess now that they are gone waa in lagu raadiyaa replacements before you go crazy on us.I'm now officially asking applicants to apply for the post of Wasirka Amaanta Flying Still. Qualifications: None needed laakin must be very well versed in the art of BSing someone 24/7.Must have multiple characters who can compete not only with themselves in BSing but also others who might jump into the fray.The more the merrier. Please apply in confidence to the BS Deppt.

Originally posted by Kool_Kat: Alaah maxaa meeshaan been la'isku qufooyaa... Change my citizenship for money? Now, how hard could that be? I would say show me the MONEEEEEY!!! I did it for free when I left Somalia and came to Canada... With Money involved, I would change my citizenship before you can say how much...Besides, no matter what, ppl would always refer to me as the Somali 'whateva it may be' played for so and so Country...So what... Money makes the world go round... Kool Kat bal u sheeg.There's absolutely no reason why one should not exploit their God given talents to the fullest.

We lost 4 characters here in one major cleanup operation laakin walaashey Flying Still lost 4 admirers.Must be a terrible experience knowing all those lovely flowing words were the result one person. I'm curious tho why 4 guys n an ayeeyo........????

ManofWisdom Saaxiib what ever makes you happy is your personal choice and does not mean that we men all share them with you.Aniga personally I think girls have to have the 4 B's (Back, Boodyo,baruur and of course bilic)The girl you showed us saaxiib waa lagu findicilaan karaa.

The only Muslim and the only black in ma place of work.