Be ready for suprises: Roger Milla

Former Cameroon striker Roger Milla tells DNA that some big nations are in for a shock in South Africa.

Greetings from India…
Hello all! How are you and how’s the excitement growing for the World Cup? Are you taking care of our African footballers there? (Laughs)

What are your thoughts on the World Cup being hosted in Africa?
You know, it is such a big deal for all of us. It’s a great boost for the game as I feel it is necessary to host the World Cup out of Europe and the America. Just as the 2002 World Cup (in Japan/South Korea) served as an impetus for football in Asia, 2010 promises the same for Africa.

You are world famous for your 1990 World Cup celebrations by the corner flag. Tell us about it…
When you score, you want to celebrate. When you score in a World Cup, it gives you a high…and what better way to celebrate than dancing! But you know, I saw Peter Crouch the other day doing his robot dance, and it made me laugh so much that it hurt! It was very funny! He reminded me of my days…

From the current lot, who is your favourite player?
I really like the way (Lionel) Messi plays. Cristiano Ronaldo is good too, in fact very good. But Messi reminds me of Diego (Maradona) so it’s always a bit special.

And among the Africans?
There are good players but they can be better. Didier (Drogba) and Michael (Essien) are perhaps the best. Samuel Eto’o and Alexandre Song are the ones whom I have seen grow as players. All these players are world class but still there is something missing. To be actual role models, they need to be more disciplined.

But hasn’t African football thrived on these players?
Of course it has! They are great ambassadors for our continent. But there is still a long way to go. To develop football, you need more role models.

What are your expectations from the World Cup?
I believe this World Cup will be one of many, many surprises. On African soil anything could happen and home continent teams like Ivory Coast, Cameroon and Ghana could do very well indeed. I predict that a few big nations will be in for a big surprise.

Who are the favourites to win?
It is too naive to pick a winner even before the tournament has started. If I have to pick one favourite, then it will be Brazil. They are a great side with many fantastic individual players.

How do you rate African countries’ chances this time?
As things stand now, I cannot see any African country winning the World Cup. They are all very good sides but still a lot needs to be done in terms of preparation. The World Cup is not an easy tournament. You need almost everything to go your way. But I feel they have the potential to reach the semifinals. Ghana and Ivory Coast look the best bet.

What’s your World Cup moment?
Personally it has to be our World Cup quarterfinals entry in 1990. To get to a quarterfinal was something extraordinary for Africa, something unthinkable. It opened the door to a lot of other countries.

How has the game changed over the past decade?
It has changed a lot. Footballers are richer now… But jokes apart, I feel the most important change is the fitness aspect. Earlier, the game used to depend on players’ skills. It’s not the case anymore. You need to be fitter to survive the 90 minutes.

Let’s assume you are 42 years old today. Would you still play a World Cup?
With lads from today’s generation? That’s a tough one... But in 1994 when I was actually 42, it proved simply that I’d been a very good player to play till that age.

Finally, you’ve been associated with Indian football in a small way. What do you think of it?
I have said it before and I say it again. I think Indian football’s problem is linked to lack of faith and lack of resources. You are not putting may be as many resources in football as you are doing in cricket for example. You don’t have that much faith in football.