Africans and players of African descent have made their mark on the world stage and have contributed greatly to the development of soccer (football), especially in Europe. The eyes of the world are now fixed on South Africa and it is fitting to highlight four of the great post World War players of Africa and African descent.

Eusébio da Silva Ferreira, referred to passionately as Eusebio ‘The Black Pearl’, was born in Mozambique and migrated to Portugal, where he grew up and became arguably the greatest African/Portuguese player of all time. The star of the 1966 World Cup in England, Eusebio led Portugal to third place, scoring nine goals and winning the Golden Boot Award. Known for his speed, dribbling skills and a powerful right foot shot, Eusebio was voted as the 10th best player of the 20th century.

Roger Milla represented his homeland in the World Cup finals (1982, 1990 and 1994). It was in the 1990 World Cup in Italy at age 38 that he took the world by storm. At the age when most players would have retired, Miller came out of international retirement to lead Cameroon the Indomitable Lions into the Quarter Finals of the World Cup. He scored four goals in the tournament coming off the bench. He returned to the 1994 World Cup and his lone goal against Russia made him at age 42 the oldest goal scorer in World Cup history.

Zinedine Zidane, known to many as Zizou, was born of Algerian parents. The three-time world player of the year (1998, 2000 & 2003) represented France in three World Cups 1998, 2002 & 2006. The tall, silky, smooth midfielder led France to victory in the 1998 World Cup, when he scored two goals in the finals against Brazil leading them to a three nil victory.

Zidane retired from international football but returned, after being talk into it by then national coach Raymond Domenech, to captain and play in the 2006 World Cup. After a slow start, by his standard, the midfield maestro carried France to 2-0 in the second round victory over Spain, where he assisted on one goal and scored the other. Then in the quarter final, he assisted on the goal that carried France to a one nil victory over Brazil. It was a game in which Zizou showed unbelievable skill and vision; a performance that will live in the memories of millions of fans and will always be considered as one of greatest, most masterful displays seen at a World Cup. In the semifinals it took a goal from him to take France to a 1-0 victory over Portugal and a birth in the World Cup final. Zizou put France ahead in the finals from the penalty spot in the 7th minute and was the chief architect behind France’s attacking movements. The penalty converted made him the third player in history to score three World Cup final goals. However, Zizou was shown the red card in the second half with the game tied and France’s hopes of another World Cup victory went, as he left the field with it. Italy went on to win on penalties.

It was to be Zidane’s last game soccer and he was awarded the Golden Boot (player of the tournament) despite being sent off.

George Weah is the first and only African player to be named World footballer and European player of the year (1995), three-time African player of the year 1989, 1994 and 1995, and voted African player of the century.

A native of Liberia, Weah has never played in a World Cup final, as his country failed to qualify. He did everything that he could to take them to the big dance -coached, played and financed, but he failed by just a point in seeing Liberia qualify for the 2002 World Cup, and having his dream come true.

At the heights of his career, Weah was the complete center forward, blessed with skill, pace and pose when on the ball, strong in the air and capable of scoring with both feet. He ranks as one of the best out and out strikers of his generation and remains one of the greatest players not to play at the World Cup, joining the likes of George Best.