The export of African football talent to Europe has a long history which can be traced back to the colonial period.
For example, some of the finest players from Senegal and Cameroon have honed their skills in France - the former colonial master.

However, the world is also awash with African-born players who changed nationality for one reason or another.

Zinedine Zidane, Claude Makelele, Patrick Vieira and Marcel Desailly are some of the better-known stars of African origin.

Our Out of Africa section will track the fortunes of players with African roots as they parade their skills in some of the world's top leagues.

Listed below are some of the players with African roots and the countries they now represent.
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Zinedine Zidane: France (Algeria)
Matteo Ferrari: Italy (Born in Algeria, Guinean mother)

Sidney Govou: France (Benin)
Jean-Alain Boumsong: France (Cameroon)
Charles Itanje: France (Cameroon)
Bruno N'Gotty: France (Cameroon)
Pascal Nouma: France (Cameroon)

Henrik Larsson: Sweden (Cape Verde)
Manuel dos Santos: France (Cape Verde)

Rio Mavuba: France (DR Congo/Angola)
Claude Makelele: France (DR Congo)
Peguy Luyindula: France (DR Congo)
Blaise N'Kufo: Switzerland (DR Congo)
Emile Mpenza: Belgium (DR Congo)
Mbo Mpenza: Belgium (DR Congo)
Kiki Musampa: Holland (DR Congo)
Ali Maboula Lukunku: France (DR Congo)
Gaby Mudingayi: Belgium (DR Congo)
Patrick Dimbala: Belgium (DR Congo)
Vincent Kompany: Belgium (DR Congo)
Jose Bosingwa da Silva: Portugal (DR Congo)

Rami Shabaan: Sweden (Egypt)

Youssouf Hersi: Holland (Ethiopia)

John Alieu Carew: Norway (Gambia)

Freddy Adu: United States (Ghana)
Gerald Asamoah: Germany (Ghana)
Marcel Desailly: France (Ghana)
George Boateng: Holland (Ghana)
Eric & Daniel Ofori Okyere: Belgium (Ghana)
Quincy Owusu-Abeyie: Holland (Ghana)

Miguel: Portugal (Guinea Bissau)

Olivier Kapo: France (Ivory Coast)
Djibril Cisse: France (Ivory Coast)
Martin Djetou: France (Ivory Coast)


Collins John: Holland (Liberia)


Vikash Dhorasoo: France (Mauritius)

Yassine Benajiba: Belgium (Morocco)

Abel Xavier: Portugal (Mozambique)

Patrick Owomoyela: Germany (Nigeria)
Emmanuel Olisadebe: Poland (Nigeria)
Shola Ameobi: England (Nigeria)
Okonkwo Digger Ifeani: Malta (Nigeria)
Ugochukwu Ehiogu:England (Nigeria)
George Ndah: England (Nigeria)
Nedum Onuoha: England under-20 (Nigeria)

Laurent Robert: France (Reunion)
Didier Agathe: France (Reunion)
Florent Sinama-Pongolle: France (Reunion)


Patrick Vieira: France (Senegal)
Ibrahim Ba: France (Senegal)
David Bellion: France (Senegal)
Patrice Evra: France (Senegal)

Carlton Cole: England (Nigeria/Sierra Leone)
Fabio Liverani: Italy (Somalia)


Sean Dundee: Germany (South Africa)

Sabri Lamouchi: France (Tunisia)

Robert Earnshaw: Wales (Zambia)
Jeff Whitley: Northern Ireland (Zambia)

Lewin Nyatanga: Wales (Zimbabwe)

Can you imagine this loads players playing for European national teams, Anyway if you know of any other player which his name doesn't appear above please post

where did you get your information? BBC website?

Last time i checked, Owusu Abeyie is playing for Ghana

Add Agbonlahor ( NGA / ENG ), Stephen ( NGA / ESP ), Balotelli ( GHA / ITA ), Afellay ( MAR / NED), Benzema (ALG / FRA ), Mandanda (DRC/FRA), N'Zogbia ( DRC/ FRA ), Alou and Lassana Diarra ( MLI /FRA), Diaby ( CIV/ FRA ), Nasri (ALG/FRA), Sagna (SEN/FRA) and Ben Arfa (TUN/FRA)

PS Reunion lslands is part of France and its citizens should normally play for the French national team.

Yeah I actually search for the list, it was last updated in 2005 and I forgot to remove Owusu-Abeiyye from the list

Last time i checked, Owusu Abeyie is playing for Ghana

was about saying the same .

@ Fola
watch him play today

@ Mukina
Welcome to may new thread, Owusu Abeyie will play but the super chickens Eagles will triumph