THE 2014 FIFA World Cup which got underway in Sao Paulo, Brazil, last night has all the ingredients of a tournament that is set to remain etched in memories for many years to come.
But what does it hold for the five African teams participating?
Algeria, Cameroon, Cote d’ Ivoire, Ghana and Nigeria carry the hopes of a continent that has suffered from the discomfiture of failure to deliver at the highest foot-balling stage.
Despite possessing talented stars, no African team has progressed beyond the quarter finals of the tournament.
It was at World Cup 1990 that the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon led by the legendary Roger Milla took the globe by storm when they reached the quarter finals of the revered tournament in Italy.
Senegal powered by the exploits of the ginger-haired El Hadji Diouf in 2002 stunned the world by matching the great Cameroon team of 1990, but the end result was a painful elimination by an average Turkey through a solitary strike by Ilhan in the 94th minute.
In 2010, Ghana lifted the African pride at the last World Cup Finals in South Africa when they came within minutes of reaching the semi finals before Liverpool and Uruguay star striker Luis Suarez deliberately handled Dominic Adiyiah’s header in the last minute of extra-time to prevent the Black Stars from securing a place.
Ghanaian striker Asamoah Gyan, under pressure, struck his effort from the penalty spot against the crossbar before the match was eventually settled after a penalty shoot-out.
This year it is likely to be a different story for Ghana who were handed a tough draw that includes European giants Germany and Portugal and the United States of America.
The Black Stars will be led by captain Gyan who scored an astonishing six goals in six matches during the World Cup qualifiers.
Veteran defender Jonathan Mensah will provide shield at the back of the defence while the duo of Michael Essien and Sulley Muntari from the Italian fading giant AC Milan will assist Gyan and Schalke 04 forward Kevin-Prince Boateng who will square up against his brother Jerome who chose Germany over Ghana.
Germany has the likes of Miroslav Klose who will be seeking to set a new record of goals scored at the World Cup Finals.
The record is currently held by the legendary Brazilian Ronaldo Luis Nazario da Lima who scored 15 during his playing time.
Klose and fellow German great Gerd Mueller are a close second with 14 goals to their names.
Also in the German ranks are Mesut Ozil, Toni Kroos, Phillip Lahm rising star Julian Draxler and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. 
Despite carrying the tag of perennial under-achievers, in the flamboyant Cristiano Ronaldo who is the current FIFA World Footballer of the Year, Raul Meireles, Real Madrid defensive duo of Fabio Coentrao,and Pepe Portugal have the right arsenal to fight for the coveted trophy.
Cameroon have the unenviable task of overcoming hosts Brazil, a resurgent Croatia and unpredictable North American giants Mexico if they are to progress to the next stage.
The Indomitable Lions arrived in Brazil early this week with their preparations overshadowed by an embarrassing industrial action over bonuses and allowances.
The players were due to fly out from Yaoundé on Sunday morning, in a plane specially chartered by Cameroon President Paul Biya, French sports newspaper L’Equipe said in a report on its website Sunday morning.
Cameroon have showed that they will be no pushovers if results of warm-up friendlies are anything to go by.
They drew 2-2 with Germany and beat Moldova 1-0 on Saturday, after which the tensions within the squad are said to have increased.
Cameroon, managed by German coach Volker Finke, are due to begin their World Cup campaign today against Mexico.
Their team includes Chelsea star forward Samuel Eto’o, Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Barcelona’s Alex Song.
West African giants Cote d’ Ivoire present the continent’s best chance for success in Group C which consists of Colombia, Greece and Asian powerhouse Japan.
With the likes of striker Didier Drogba, battle-hardened midfielder Yaya Toure and his brother Kolo, Cote d’Ivoire will most certainly top this group.
Their threat and dark horses Colombia will miss the services of Monaco hitman Radamel Falcao through injury but with striker Jackson Martinez of Portuguese giants FC Porto, goals will not be a problem for the South American seasoned campaigners.
Nigeria will renew their rivalry with hot favourites Argentina in Group F.
The Super Eagles famously held a Diego Maradona led Argentina in the 1994 World Cup Finals.
This time Nigeria, while expected to pull through this group that also includes Bosnia Herzegovina and Iran may find the going tough against an Argentina side that will be heralded by the great Lionel Messi, super forward Sergio Aguero, Real Madrid winger Angel Di Maria and French champions striker Ezequiel Lavezzi.
Edin Dzeko of English Premier League champions Manchester City is the only notable name in a Bosnia squad seeking to make a mark in their debut at the tournament.
Nigeria led by local coach and former player Stephen Keshi who led them to victory at 2013 African Cup of Nations will look up to the trio of Victor Moses Emmanuel Emenike and Chelsea’s John Mikel Obi for success.
If there is a team thanking the heavens for what is apparently an easy draw it is Algeria.
There is nothing that should stop the North Africans from progressing in a group that has Belgium, Russia and South Korea.
But as the saying goes, ‘you never know what can happen in the game of football’.
Best wishes to Africa in Brazil.