Bamba will represent Ivory Coast at the World Cup in South Africa

Hibernian defender Sol Bamba believes the World Cup will present an opportunity for him and Africa to prove their credentials on the big stage.

The Ivory Coast defender insists Africa can be host a great World Cup, despite recent events in Angola when two members of Togo's part were killed.

"We need to show to people Africa can organise a big competition like that," Bamba said.

"I'm not worried about the World Cup. I think everything's going to be okay."

Bamba and his international team-mates were deeply affected by the tragedy and came close to joining Togo in pulling out of the competition.

"We were very affected by that," said Bamba.

We need to show to people Africa can organise a big competition like that Hibernian defender Sol Bamba

"It's not the reason why, but I think it's a big part of why we didn't go through."

Bamba revealed how the Ivory Coast squad came under pressure from their own national football federation and even their country's president not to pull out of the Africa Nations Cup last month.

"In Africa, football is even more about politics," said Bamba, whose side exited the Africa Cup of Nations at the quarter-final stage against Algeria.

Togo were banned from the next two Africa Nations Cups after withdrawing from this year's tournament, a punishment Bamba simply cannot comprehend.

"If it was us, we'd do the same - we'd have left the competition," he said.

"We've all got family, kids and, if our lives are in danger, I think everyone wants to be safe."

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