Big threat: Ivory Coast - including players Seydou Doumbia and Gervinho (right) - represent Africa's best hope of lifting the World Cup in South Africa

The Coach: Vahid Halilhodžic (Boznia & Herzegovinia, 57). Appointed: May 2008. WC experience: Player: None. Coach: None.

Halilhodžic was capped 15 times, scoring eight goals for the Yugoslav national team. He was twice the leading scorer of the French league with Nantes and after retiring, he coached a number of teams, including Lille and Rennes, and Paris Saint-Germain.

The Country: Until 2005, their greatest accomplishment was winning the 1992 African Cup of Nations, beating Ghana on penalties at the Stade de l'Amitie in Dakar, Senegal. But Les Éléphants were unable to qualify for the second round in 2006 after losing to Argentina and Holland in the “group of death”. They did manage to win one game in Germany, against Serbia and Montenegro, coming back from down 0-2 to win 3-2 on a late penalty by Bonaventure Kalou.

But with Dider Drogba in attack, anything could happen. The Africans drew 1-1 with Malawi in Blantyre to become the second African side to reach the World Cup in South Africa from the qualifiers.

Drogba came on as a substitute to score the crucial equalising goal for the visitors after Jacob Ngwira's opener. Drogba said: "I am very happy indeed because Ivory Coast is going to the World Cup for the second time."

Telegraph verdict: There is huge excitement that, finally, Africa may have a team to really threaten to do well in the World Cup. It could have been the Ivorians last time but they were dealt a ridiculously difficult hand, but it is basically the same group of players who are older and wiser now. Discipline let them down in 2006 while, if Drogba remains fit, it could be his tournament.