Gediid Posted October 2, 2003 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) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
N.O.R.F Posted October 2, 2003 Pele was right when he said an african team will win the world cup by the year 2000, they just happened to be playing for france! Gr8 post G man! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
koonfur Posted October 6, 2003 Who knows how may world cups Africa would've had if these guys were playing for african teams? This tells you that some of the finest african players are playing for foreign teams which gives you the idea of why the continent of africa is not even getting close to winning the world cup. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
