Egypt News

Some, like Ghana's Ransford Osei and Nigeria's Sone Aluko, are already well-known names.

Others will be hoping to make their mark in an event which has, in the past, made global headlines for players like Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi.

Thierry Henry, Michael Essien and Ronaldinho are amongst the other big names to have launched their international careers at this level.

Hosts Egypt, African Youth Champions Ghana plus Cameroon, Nigeria and South Africa are the continent's representatives - but they will be up against some tough opposition.

Cameroon, for instance, share Group C with Germany, USA and South Korea - a truly tough proposition.

Ghana, in Group D, must get past Uruguay, England and Uzbekistan - who beat both China and South Korea en route to qualifying.

An African nations has never won the Under-20 World Cup, even though Ghana and Nigeria have both been to the final twice.

That is remarkable, given the continent's excellent record at under-17 level.

And with perennial champions Argentina missing this time, many will feel it is Africa's time to deliver.

At least there is plenty of experience on the coaching front.

Nigeria's boss Samson Siasia led the Flying Eagles to second-place in the Netherlands in 2005.

And Egypt coach Miroslav Soukup performed the same feat with his native Czech Republic two years ago.

But there are 24 teams in action over the coming weeks, ranging from everybody's favourite Brazil to tiny Tahiti.

At the start of a year which sees Africa host three global football tournaments, culminating in the World Cup in South Africa 2010, there is plenty of work yet to be done if the continent is to make it's mark.

EGYPT NEWS

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