Efe Ambrose
Nigerian Super Eagles defender - Efe Ambrose believes this may be the right time for Africa to win the World Cup - a trophy no African nation has won since inception in 1930.
The Eagles will go to the 2014 World Cup with no fear since the draw seemed favourable, pitching them against Argentina, Iran and Bosnia-Herzegovina in Group F.
And the Celtic defender believes this may be the right time for Africa to lift the trophy; and as such, he urges his team mates to be focused when it begins.
“To be the best, you have to beat the best. In football, everything is possible, and it’s time for Africa to step up. Nobody knows – maybe it’s time for Africa to win the World Cup,” Efe told his club's official website
“Our group is fair, We’ll respect every country that we play in the World Cup. Everybody could qualify from that group. It’s football so you can’t write anybody off.
“Now we’ll just make sure that we’re prepared for the tournament so that we know our game-plan and are focused for when it begins.”
Efe also plays down the threat of Lionel Messi, insisting that Argentina isn't just about the 26-year-old.
“Messi is the best in the world, but it’s not just him. We’re playing Argentina and they have good players but we’re the African champions, and we’ll compete well, against Argentina, Bosnia and Iran
“I just want to play and enjoy it when I play whether it is Argentina or if it was Brazil or Spain or any country. To be the best you have to beat the best, and to win the World Cup you have to beat the best, so I hope we can have a good World Cup,” he added.
The World Cup, which will hold in Brazil, will commence in June next year.