African legends believe continent’s football has come of age

Legends of African football gathered at a gala dinner in Johannesburg ahead of the continent’s first World Cup which begins in South Africa on Friday.

A key pioneer on the international stage was Nigerian great Jay-Jay Okocha, who told CNN he believes that the World Cup proves African football has finally come of age.

“I think we have contributed a lot to world football and we are glad that FIFA have finally recognized and believe that we belong,” said the 36-year-old, who played in the top leagues in Germany, France, England and Turkey before retiring in 2008.

“It’s not just a game for us, it’s like a religion, it’s like a tradition. We bring a lot of colors, we bring a lot of emotion and we bring a lot of enthusiasm to the game.”

2010 World Cup: A catalyst for a new South Africa?

Adamu also attacked critics who have said that the cost of South Africa hosting the World Cup is too high, and instead claimed the tournament will leave a lasting legacy for the country.

“People complain that it’s a waste of money, but it’s important that the organizers and the countries know that the benefits are very enormous,” he said.

“No country hosts the World Cup and remains the same. Hosting these games brings a lot of financial social and economic benefits to the nation.”

South Africans are also hoping that their national team “Bafana Bafana” can progress through the opening round of the competition, although they face tough opposition in their group from France, Mexico and Uruguay.

However, ex-player and former Bafana Bafana technical director Jono Somo will be offering his advice to his countrymen before their first match against Mexico on Friday.

“I know how the players are feeling. I’ll be speaking to them the day before the game. They will call me at night and I’ll say go out there and enjoy yourselves and don’t put pressure on yourselves,” he told CNN.

Somo was South Africa’s youngest-ever professional footballer, when he played for the Orlando Pirates, and in the U.S. for Colorado Caribos and New York Cosmos.

But the current owner of the Highlands Park Club in Johannesburg could never play for his national team in the 1980s because of South Africa’s apartheid regime, and he feels very emotional about his country being the hosts of the 2010 World Cup.

“It’s difficult to describe, its difficult being an ex-player who never got to play. I feel like I could turn the clock back and play now. But everything happens for a reason.”