Pokou, 62, who played for the Ivory Coast for 10 years, is regarded as one of Africa’s all-time best forwards.

And he desperately wants the African players in the World Cup to replicate their club form on the big stage (6/5 Ivory Coast – Top African Team – World Cup 2010).

Until 2008, Pokou was the all-time leading scorer at the African Nations Cup – but his 14-goal tally was overtaken by Samuel Eto’o.

Pokou challenged the likes of countryman Didier Drogba and Cameroon’s forward Eto’o, both of whom will be at this summer’s World Cup finals, to show the form they have for Chelsea and Inter Milan respectively.

“Comparing is not the best way and times have changed,” he told www.cafonline.com. “Today the game is a more scientific and technical game and there is more creativity.

“That is what makes the difference we are talking about. But that does not mean that players should not replicate their club performances with their national teams.

“We saw what he (Eto’o) did with Barcelona and today at Inter.

“Drogba is also doing great with Chelsea. In London, just like in Marseille, he has been exceptional.

“All these performances must be replicated with their national teams.”

The World Cup betting suggests both Ivory Coast and Cameroon are in with a chance of progressing from their groups.

Pokou, who starred in France with both Rennes and Nancy, would like to see more resources put into the local game.

“I think African football has contributed a great deal to the global game,” he continued.

“If you look at European football, there is at least one African in every club. African football is like the bread basket of world football.

“In spite of these there is still the acute lack of infrastructure and those who manage the game should be able to provide the necessary infrastructure so that children could benefit.”

And Pokou called on the African football family to unite in a bid to take the game forward.

He added: “It is not the players who are lacking but we need to do more. It does not suffice to criticise. That is why the managers, federations, players and even journalists have a responsibility to make things work.”

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