World Cup - 2002

"Whenever a World Cup is on I'm rooting for the African players to do well. It helps to get the players a move. When you do well, coaches and clubs are watching," said Babayaro.

The number of African players shot up to 34 in the 2002/03 season.

Nigeria could not match the feats of Senegal, who finished bottom of a group containing England, Argentina and Sweden.

But Nigeria's loss may have just been Bolton Wanderers’ and Sam Allardyce's gain.

"Jay-Jay came about via a phone call from my agent saying do you fancy going and meeting him for a coffee. If he has a cracking World Cup that will probably be the last you see of him!" said Allardyce of Jay-Jay Okocha.

"Nigeria went out early and my agent said he'd got hold of him and he was willing to meet again.

"This was the big sell, it boiled down to the money and we went above and beyond where we'd ever been.

"We were a little sceptical at the time but we got the phone call saying he was driving to Bolton.

"We sorted the medical and the deal out and it was the start of a great four years."

Okocha was available on a free transfer having left Paris Saint-Germain that summer.

Part of Nigeria's African Cup of Nations and Olympic winning teams in 1994 and 1996, it is difficult to understand how a player of his quality was not bought by a club playing European football at least.

A highlight reel of Okocha's time in the Premier League will always include his rainbow flick skill over Arsenal's Ray Parlour.

But Okocha was more than tricks and flicks. His time across Europe meant he spoke several different languages, which was vital in a multicultural squad that Allardyce had built.

Allardyce would go onto make Okocha captain of the club and in 2017 he was voted their best ever player.

"He was the Beckham of Africa. I think he found it difficult at first. But once he got his family settled in Bolton it all started to click," said Allardyce.

"He was never appreciated in this country because he played for Bolton, because he could’ve played for anyone in this country.

"It was the way he played, the casual way he played, the joy be brought the fans, the tricks he had up his sleeve.

"Jay-Jay mastered the fact that when the trick came it was in the right time and place."

Okocha on a free transfer must go down as one of the Premier League's smartest signings.

The same must be said of the man who went on to make 353 Premier League appearances.

In the annals of football history, certain players transcend the boundaries of the sport to become legends. Didier Drogba, the Ivorian powerhouse, is undeniably one such figure.

His impact at Chelsea, his influence on the Premier League, and his significance as an African football player have left an indelible mark on the beautiful game.

Drogba joined Chelsea in the summer of 2004, marking the beginning of a transformative era for the London club. Signed by Jose Mourinho, his first season at Chelsea saw him net 10 goals in the Premier League, helping the team secure their first top-flight title in 50 years.

Drogba's physical prowess, clinical finishing, and ability to perform under pressure made him a dominant force in English football.

Throughout his two spells at Chelsea (2004-2012 and 2014-2015), Drogba netted 104 league goals, becoming the club's second-highest scorer in the competition's history.

Frank Lampard, the only player with more Premier League goals for Chelsea, played alongside Drogba for Chelsea, witnessing him scoring in an incredible eight finals for the club, including Chelsea's first Champions League win.

"When you arrive in the Premier League from abroad it's not an easy settling in period and I think Didier found that in the first year," said Lampard.

"He was a real leader. He dragged people along with him through his work ethic and drive.

"He always turned up in the big moments."

Drogba's arrival would see Eidur Gudjohnsen play a more bit-part role for Chelsea.

"He had difficulties adapting, he was very raw and young when he arrived," said Gudjohnsen.

"The period of adjustment maybe took a year but slowly but steadily he became the best striker in the Premier League.

"You could see that everything was there, he just needed to be comfortable in his surroundings."

"There's a lot of players with quality but it's about how you use this quality on the pitch," said Cesc Fabregas, wh played against Drogba for Arsenal and with him at his second spell at Chelsea.

"Very soon the impact he made across the world was there to see. He became a figurehead on and off the pitch."

The following season, big-spending Chelsea signed Michael Essien, taking over Drogba's title as Africa's most expensive player at a fee of £24.4m. Another Premier League title followed.

"My dream was to play in the Premier League so when the opportunity came I jumped on it," said Essien.

"It was a big transfer at the time. The one’s that don’t know you will always question if it's worth the money.

"It was up to me to show it. Mourinho at the time gave me all the confidence. The league was physical at the time but that was part of my game and it didn’t take me long to adapt.

"I think it gave some trust to the rest of the Premier League in spending money on African players.

"We were like family. We were part of a generation that created opportunities for future African players to join."

Chelsea's five Premier League title wins between 2005 and 2017 would see them overtake Arsenal with the most African Premier League winners.

Drogba (Ivory Coast), Essien (Ghana), Geremi (Cameroon), Salomon Kalou (Ivory Coast), Mikel John Obi (Nigeria) and Victor Moses (Nigeria) all won the league in West London.

"I think if you go anywhere in Africa, especially West Africa, Chelsea is their favourite team," said Salomon Kalou.

"The connection that the African players had, we took that from off the pitch to on the pitch.

"We had a very strong group of African players at Chelsea," said Mikel John Obi.

"It influenced my decision, we became like brothers.

"It was a time where African players were making waves in the Premier League."

Without a doubt, the size and power of Drogba, Mikel and Essien stood out for Chelsea as they embarked on a hugely successful period in English football.

But these were players who were capable of spectacular game-changing moments.

These were players who controlled football matches at the highest level consistently.

"It was very physical at the time but that was part of my football," said Essien.

"We were very good on the ball. I wanted to have the ball and enjoy what I do. I can only do that by having the ball at my feet," said Obi.

"I wanted to play as much as Lampard, Deco, Joe Cole. I wasn't just there to kick people!"

These thoughts were echoed by Victor Wanyama, Kenya's first and only Premier League player.

Often described as 'tough-tackling' and 'powerful', Wanyama insists there was more to his game.

It is a trope often aimed at African midfielders.

"I could do anything. I was comfortable on the ball, I had skill on the ball and could play through pressure," said Wanyama.

"In Africa we have a lot of players with good technique, it's not only about strength and toughness."