International

The 2008 Olympic Games will be held in Beijing, China

The pedigree of African teams at the Olympics is a source of pride for many football fans across the continent.

Ghana were the first African side to win a medal, taking bronze at the Barcelona Games in 1992.

Nigeria bettered their west African rivals in Atlanta four years later by beating Argentina to win gold.

Cameroon continued the good African form by securing the top prize in Sydney in 2000, after triumphing over Spain in a penalty shoot-out final.

Olympic football competition draw

Qualification for this year's Games was gained by winning one of three, four-team groups.

Ivory Coast won the Group B ticket while Cameroon took Group C.

Nigeria were the last to book their place after a neck-and-neck battle with Ghana in Group A.