Whats your verdict on African football, with the upcoming 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa in mind?
The environmental factor is an important one. Up to now, African sides have found it easier to win at the Olympic Games and at youth level. I remember Atlanta 1996, when Nigeria beat Argentina. I myself played at the U-20 World Cup against Ghana, when they beat us and knocked us out of the competition. They are physically strong sides and, at youth level, that makes the difference. In the last World Cup I faced Ghana in the Round of 16 and I got my revenge, but it was a great game, difficult and demanding. It just goes to show that they’re on the right track, including at senior level.In 2007 you won everything there was to win, both at team and individual level. Is it true what they say, that footballers don’t pay much attention to awards? No, absolutely not! Winning individual awards means a great deal to me, because they enable you to join an elite band of players who have written the history of football. Only a handful of athletes have received the FIFA World Player award and I’m o
