Last chance at glory for Africa’s greatest

Nothing in football is ever entirely definitive. It says a lot for a man's sense of perspective that the only way he can be persuaded to play a football match is through state intervention.

The president of Cameroon, Paul Biya, has managed to coax Samuel Eto'o out of international retirement, just like he did with Roger Milla in 1990.

Eto'o has helped Cameroon in many major competitions, especially the African Cup of Nations, where he is the all time top scorer with 18 goals.

The four-time African footballer of the year has played in three FIFA World Cup competitions with the Indomitable Lions, scoring two goals – against Saudi Arabia during the group stage in the 2002 World Cup and netted in Cameroon's 2010 World Cup group stage match against Denmark.

Eto'o has done a lot for the Indomitable Lions, scoring 55 times in 112 appearances, but his ultimate wish is to help his country reach the Semi finals at the 2014 World Cup, not to even win it.

The indomitable Lions missed the 2012 and 2013 Africa Cup of Nations tournaments following poor qualification campaigns under Eto'o stewardship, but at 32, Eto'o is desperate to show his last killer instincts, besides, on his day, the ex-Barcelona goal-poacher is one of the world's most lethal forward.

DIDIER DROGBA AND DIDIER ZOKORA
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Cote d'Ivoire qualified to the 2014 World Cup after beating Senegal 4-2 on aggregate in a two-legged play-off after winning a group containing Morocco, Tanzania and Gambia.

This Côte d'Ivoire side has certainly had its fair share of demons and disappointments. For the last eight years, the Elephants have enthralled football fans everywhere without winning a single title.

During this period, they have cried and cursed the fates without ever blaming their own inconsistency.

Two of their oldest players, Didier Drogba and Didier Zokora, will try to make an impact this time at the 2014 World Cup.

Zokora has played 110 international matches for the Côte d'Ivoire national football team and is their most capped player of all time.He scored his only goal at the international level in a 4–0 defeat of Botswana on 22 June 2008 that moved Côte d'Ivoire to the top of their group in World Cup qualifiers.

Ninety-eight games and 62 goals after he made his debut against South Africa in 2002, Drogba, on the other hand, netted his first goal for the national side against Cameroon in a 3-0 victory on February 11 2003.

On 11 June 2006, Drogba scored the first World Cup goal of his career and of his country's history in the opening game against Argentina, but his team lost.

On 20 June 2010, Drogba became the first player from an African nation to score against Brazil in a World Cup match, but his side failed to advance from a group that comprises Portugal, North Korea and Brazil.

At ages 35 and 33 respectively, Drogba and Zokora will hope to make an impact on what is likely to be their last World Cup.

The entire squad and coaching staff are very certain that it will be a disgrace for the entire nation if they once again fail to get out of the group.

JOSEPH YOBO
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After making his debut in Spring 2001, Joseph Yobo played in Nigeria's three matches in Japan and South Korea, for the 2002 World Cup, and even provided the assist for his side's only goal of the tournament.

Yobo's play at international level has received positive reviews. He was also part of the Nigerian squad for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, after which he assumed the Eagles' captaincy on the international retirement of Nwankwo Kanu.

Born on 6th September 1980, Yobo has 95 caps, making him the most capped Nigerian player ever.

He will be probably be playing his last FIFA World Cup competiton at the Mundial in Brazil for the Super Eagles, and that will be his last chance to help his nation perform better at the World's greatest football event.

MICHAEL ESSIEN
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He made his competitive senior debut in the 2002 African Nations Cup against Morocco on 21 January 2002

The 31-year-old has played in only one World Cup tournament for the Black Stars, as on 16 May 2006, he was selected to be part of the team that represented Ghana at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.

He played in Ghana's 0–2 defeat to Italy, their 2–0 victory over the Czech Republic, and the 2–1 victory over the United States but was suspended for Ghana's second round match against Brazil and could only watch as Ghana lost 0–3.

Injuries have been Essien's bane, as during an international match played against Libya on 5 September 2008, the AC Milan midfielder ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament playing for Ghana in the World Cup qualification stage and was out of action for six months, missing the majority of the 2008–09 season.

It was then announced on 27 May 2010 that Essien would unfortunately miss the World Cup after he was told that he would not fully recover from his knee injury until the end of July, more than two weeks after the tournament had ended.

Ghana have a crop of talented players that will step in for Essien in the very near future, if not now. Ghana can vaunt of the powerful Afryie Acquah, Rabiu Mohammed, Agyemang Badu and maybe, Emmanuel Frimpong (If only he decides to play) to replace Essien.

With 52 caps and 9 goals for the Black Stars, Essien's last hope of playing at the World Cup will be the one slated in June in Brazil this year.

 MADJID BOUGHERRA (ALGERIA)
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Algeria captain Madjid Bougherra was born in France on 7th October 1982. He currently plays for Lekhwiya and the Algeria national team. He is a central defender, who can also play as a midfielder.

Bougherra opted to play for the country of his grandfather's birth and made his full debut in a FIFA World Cup 2006 qualifier on 20 June 2004 against Zimbabwe.

Since then, the 31-year old has played in 60 games for the Greens and has 4 goals to his name was part of the Algerian side at the 2010 World Cup hosted in Brazil.

Currently playing for Qatari's side Lekhwiya Sports Club in the Qatar Stars League, Bougherra is set to lead his team once again at the 2014 World Cup, which might be his last.

Which of these six do you think will make the best impression in Brazil?