The former Barcelona and Inter Milan striker who played at four editions of the tournament for Cameroun across a glittering career claimed that this year was the time an African side would show their full potential.

No country from Africa has ever made it past the quarter-finals, with only Cameroun (1990), Senegal (2002) and Ghana (2010) ever making it beyond the last 16 stage.

Eto'o told ESPN: "Africa has always had the potential to achieve a successful World Cup, but we haven't always shown our best face up to now.

"During the years, African teams have acquired more and more experience, and I think they're ready not only to participate in a World Cup, but also to win it.

"Cameroun will win the World Cup final against Morocco."

Eto'o even boldly plotted each country's route to the final, set to be held at the purpose-built Lusail Stadium on December 18. 

He said that Morocco will have eliminated Spain, Portugal and France while his own Cameroun, for whose federation he now acts as president, will send Belgium and Senegal home in the quarter-finals and semi-finals before defeating Morocco. 

"As president of our federation, I would love to see Cameroun win the World Cup," he added.

Having previously played in Qatar at the back end of his career, Eto'o also backed them to knock England out in the last 16.