Exclusive: Efan Ekoku On Nigeria's Lucky World Cup Qualification, The Golden Era & The Forgotten History Of African Football

Barcelona's golden era is an exception, not the rule

Abedi Pele beating Baresi & Milan to CL in 1993

While Efan's native Nigeria have not as yet lived up to their billing from the last decade, the profile of African footballers worldwide has skyrocketed over the last ten years. Ekoku, however, insists that the continent has been producing some of the world's elite for much longer.

"I don't think the African players - or footballers in general - are any better than they were 15 or 20 years ago, we're just seeing more leaving the continent, and it's become more glitzy with better worldwide coverage," he says. "The first year the Premiership formed, there were maybe three or four African players, now there are perhaps 30, so people think it's gotten much better, but I'm not sure that's the case.

"There have been lots of players in Belgium and in France for the last 25 years.

"Look back to 1990 or so, there were one or two players playing for big clubs. Abedi Pele was one of the best players in the world in the early 1990s.

"There were players in the mid-80s who, if given the opportunity, could have played for AC Milan or Real Madrid.

"All the big clubs have got bigger scouting networks now." But there is more significant reasoning for the delayed introduction of Africans to the biggest leagues the game has to offer, reasoning that extends beyond the realm of football itself.

"The French and Belgians maintained their presence more in west Africa over the last 15 and 20 years. As a result, they got first option on players from places such as the Ivory Coast, Ghana, to a lesser extent Togo and Senegal as well," says Ekoku.

"They were the frontrunners, because after colonising those countries, they continued to lead social developments and give more back than certain other countries did, from that they got the opportunity to use some of the talent that was there.

"Since then, the Premier League has seen what's there and, with the amount of money they have, are able to now view Africa as a great resource, though due to work permit regulations, many of the players are still going through France, Belgium, through Holland as well, and eventually they find their way to the likes of Spain, Italy and England."

One way or another, Africa has announced itself within Europe's top leagues and clubs much the way South America did previously. With the World Cup heading to the continent in seven months, the onus is now on the national teams - such as Nigeria - to follow suit.

Sulmaan Ahmad, Goal.com UK