The Africa Cup of Nations is as good a place as any for Europe to scout for new talent. Nashwa Abdel-Tawab follows the intensified European chase for some of the continent's finest money-makers Africa, which is viewed by Europeans as the 'Heart of Darkness', has ironically always been a source of power not only when Europe invaded the continent in the 19th century and absorbed its resources but also when, in this era of globalisation, they brought its soccer talents over to European clubs and tournaments. In this mutually benefitting transaction, European clubs buy young African players to run their businesses and benefit from such cheap labour and in return the African dream of striking rich is achieved. African players are appealing to European clubs as they bring with them a lot of speed and strength, which is vital in the continent's game, as well as much enthusiasm and determination. They can be brought at "knockdown" prices and then invested to breed more money. Some players will find that their price tag can dramatically increase whilst they play in Europe. A good example is Didier Drogba's �24 million transfer fee after having two successful seasons in the French top leagues. To be sure, Africa is swiftly turning into the new South America in the sense that South America used to be, and arguably still is, the main source of foreign talent for European clubs. Raffaele Poli, a Swiss academic, has studied the career paths of African footballers in Europe. He looked at 600 players who played in the top European leagues in 2002. Four years later, only 13 per cent had progressed upwards. A third had simply disappeared from professional football. And yet they keep coming and their vein of talent extends in Europe. African players in Europe are spread over 18 nations and many clubs, from the giant Spanish La Liga to the tiny Cypriot league. There is an abundance of African players playing in the Champions League and the UEFA Cup which helps improve their game and provides more European football experience. Of the 18 nations with African players involved in their leagues, France boasts of the largest number with just over 50 players. Most of them immigrated to France and then came up through the ranks. England follows with just over 40. A greater number of these players, however, have been transferred into the country. Chelsea alone has spent over �60 million on four African players in the past couple of years. The on-going 26th African Cup of Nations being hosted in Ghana has 368 players in the tournament representing only 16 African nations. Out of this number, 175 are currently playing their club football in Europe, according to The Statesmen survey whereas it is 220 pros according to an Egyptian agent. What about the other 37 African nations who have other players in Europe? Many are happy with the African countries that did not qualify. For example, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was relieved that Togo failed to qualify for the tournament so that he can keep striker Emmanuel Adebayor in the club. Despite criticising the Africa Cup of Nations timing during the middle of the European season, 15 of the 20 clubs of the Premier League are scouting at the Ghana tournament determined not to risk missing out on future world-class players, according to a survey done by BBC Sport. They want to see what talent is on display, and possibly recruit some new faces. The huge number of players in Europe has undoubtedly helped improve the quality of football which is on display at the Cup of Nations as well as the European Championships. The pace of the games has been fast. There are a number of fantastic goals being scored, some netted by way of individual skills and brilliant ball distribution. Others have just been amazing with long range strikes. A sign that European football is affecting the African game is the fact that three of the four main contenders for the Cup have mostly players playing in Europe in their squads. Ghana have only three players not playing in Europe, two for Cote d'Ivoire and five on the Cameroon team. Players who have influential roles at their clubs have brought their talent with them to the national side. Michael Essien has been the inspirer for Ghana and Chelsea this season. Fredric Kanoute, Samuel Eto'o Filis and Kolo Toure have also been influential for club and country this season. But others think team spirit is a major factor as well. Most of the squad representing Egypt, the defending champion, is based in their local league. Only Mohamed Shawki, Mohamed Zidan, Ahmed Hassan and Ahmed 'Mido' Hossam play in Europe. Sudan, which gained the title of the "whipping boys" in the tournament, have no European- based players. "You know when you're buying an African player that's the rule," Chelsea chief scout Frank Arnesen told BBC Sport. "You have to deal with that and it's a must for us to be at the Nations Cup." Portsmouth do not have scouts in Ghana despite having six Africans in their first team but former Arsenal defender Gilles Grimandi is in Ghana scouting for Arsenal while Arnesen has sent two scouts to monitor the tournament. Whereas just eight Premier League players travelled to the 2002 Nations Cup in Mali, a staggering 35 made the trip to Ghana in 2008. "It's an exceptionally high quality tournament and there are some great, great players there," said Reading's director of football Nicky Hammond. "Over the last few years Africa has really come to the forefront of producing some top, top players, so for us it is a very good tournament to cover." "We'll be monitoring the Nations Cup very closely," said Newcastle's first team coach Steve Round. "Over the past 20 years the progression of African players has been explosive," said Arnesen. "They're playing at the highest level and they're doing well and that's why everyone is looking at them. Maybe 10 or 15 years ago you knew a few players from every team but not 11. Now you go out and see Ghana, Nigeria, Ivory Coast and you know all 11 players and even the bench. The Nations Cup is now on a level with the South American and European Championships." In African countries children want to play, for want of a better world, "street football" every day and thus their presence on the world youth level is great. England as well as other European countries' record at this level of football is pretty poor compared to Africa's top football nations. Nigeria have won two Under-16 world titles as well as one U-17 world title and have twice come second. Ghana have claimed two U-17 world titles and have twice been runners-up, while the Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso have also made the top three. Guinea came fourth in 1985. In comparison, England have appeared just once at the U-17 World Cup, in 2007, when they reached the quarter-finals. Their record at the U-20 level is better, having competed in that tournament seven times, finishing third in 1993. The consensus among Premier League coaches, scouts and directors of football is that African players offer great value for money. Physically and technically they seem a brilliant option and, crucially, they are often a lot more cost effective than an English alternative. Chelsea's four players competing at the Nations Cup -- Didier Drogba, Michael Essien, Salomon Kalou and Jon Mikel Obi -- were purchased from other European clubs at a total cost of more than �50m. Perhaps this is why clubs are flocking to Africa -- to spot, and potentially snap up, any remaining non-Europe based Africans before their price soars. The final few days of the British transfer window were a frenetic time of wheeling and dealing between clubs and there were many African footballers on the move as a consequence. Struggling Serie A side Reggina have signed Nigeria striker Stephen Makinwa on loan from Lazio. Turkish club Galatasaray have signed Ghana midfielder Ahmed Barusso on loan from AS Roma but have not released any financial details surrounding the deal. Manchester United and Angola forward Manucho is set to be loaned out to leading Greek side Panathinaikos for the remainder of the season. Algerian defender Abderaouf Zarabi has agreed a move to Scottish Premier League side Hibernian after the Edinburgh-based club obtained a work permit for the player. Levski Sofia striker Ekundayo Jaiyeoba will join Israeli Premier League club Maccabi Herzliya on loan until the end of the season. The deal for the 27-year-old Nigerian includes an option to join the club on a permanent basis. Moroccan international and CSKA Sofia midfielder Abderrahman Kabous signed with Spanish first division team Murcia. On Wednesday, Sierra Leone captain Mohamed Kallon confirmed his six-month contract with Greek side AEK Athens. On Tuesday out-of-favour Liverpool and Mali midfielder Mohamed Sissoko signed for Italian giants Juventus for $16m. On Monday, Reading completed the signing of Mali international Jimmy Kebe for an undisclosed fee from Lens. The 24-year-old winger joined on a two-and-a-half-year deal. Africa has a rich vein of talent. Its football has left its mark across the globe, most notably in Europe as evidenced by Ghana 2008.
