Former Everton star Daniel Amokachi has highlighted the progress made by African football in recent years and believes the rest of the world is aware of the qualities of African players even though they don't get the attention they deserve.

The 1994 Africa Cup of Nations winning-striker buttressed his point by noting that three African stars in the shape of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane (both Liverpool), and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal) shared the Premier League Golden Boot award after ending last season with 22 goals each.

''The level that we are, I think the world knows it, it's not just about the AFCON. It is about what an Africa player represents in the Premier League, in Spain, in Germany, in Ligue 1, in Italy,'' Amokachi said in an interview with Confederation of African Football.

''We just finished witnessing three players top scorers in the Premier League. Last year, an African was the best player in the Premier League, a year before was an African, a year before was an African.

''I don't think we should say much, they know that, they just have to act like they don't know but that is the reality. African football is up there and we are getting there. ''

Nicknamed the Bull, Amokachi played in Belgium, England, Turkey and the USA before retiring in 2005.

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : liverpoolfc.com