Mercy Akide is the continent's best player and the first African to play in the US Women's Soccer League (Wusa), where she stars for San Diego Spirit.

The 27 year-old has over 40 caps for the Super Falcons, Nigeria's national team, and reached the quarter-finals of the 1999 World Cup, losing narrowly to Brazil.

Top scorer at the 1998 African Nations Cup with eight goals, Akide is currently with the Nigerian team at the ongoing African Nations Cup, where they are going for their third consecutive title.

Thanks for all your e-mails for Mercy - a selection appear below.

Anselm, USA

Why did you lose to Ghana's Black Queens during the current African Nations Cup?

Well, that's football. You can't win all the time. We are disappointed that we did not win, despite the fact that we played a good match. The needed goal just didn't come.But luck was not on our side because we scored a goal that was disallowed by the referee. In my opinion, there was nothing wrong with it.

Yussouf Fofana, USA

How long do you plan to play international football and when do you intend to have a family and children?

Right now, I really don't know but if I get married I might have to stop.

I come from a big family and love what my mum did for me, so I would love to have my own children and pass on what my mum taught me. I am hoping that God will give me the man that I will marry. But I am concentrating on my career for the time being.

Samuel Akinkunmi, Belgium

What is your most memorable goal you've scored?

Secondly, which player do you admire most in Nigeria's Super Eagles?

It is the goal that I scored against North Korea in our opening match at the last World Cup.

Julius Aghahowa (top scorer at the 2002 African Nations Cup in Mali) is the player that I admire most in the mens' team. He plays my position and I love the way that he moves. He always takes matches seriously, which mirrors the approach that I have to games. And I like the way that he celebrates his goals!

Leo Tarr, Liberia

The US womens' team seems to be way ahead of the rest of the world. Do you believe African teams can ever get to their level?

There is no doubt that the American players are the best in the world. Their league is also the best in the world.

If African teams can travel out and have exposure, we can be as good as they are. We have a lot of talent, we play football like the Brazilians and we are physically strong.

African teams also need a lot of sponsorship because we need money to help the game develop.

Ade Bello, UK

Do you think Nigeria can win the African Nations Cup for keeps?

This is what we are working towards. We want to take one game at a time and not rush things anymore. We don't want to boast about our chances but will show our worth on the pitch.

John Wiltshire, Nigeria

I compare you to Rashidi Yekini, a legend in Nigerian football [he scored the country's first World Cup goal]. What motivates you to score goals with such a clinical finish?

Secondly, do you intend to come back home and coach less privileged girls to become as famous as yourself?

My desire to win pushes me to score goals. Besides, I hate losing!

People always compare me to Rashidi Yekini (a past African Footballer of the Year) because he's tall, bulky and strong.

But I have some things that he does not have - like great skill. I'm a very good dribbler of the ball and he's not, but I have tremendous shooting power like him.

If I get the chance I would like to coach young girls, because when I was growing up people coached me into the player that I am today.

Fidelis Mbah, Abuja, Nigeria

Do you think you can retain the African Footballer of the Year award?

I hope so. I have scored two goals in two Nations Cup games and hope to increase my tally in other matches.

Chiku, Japan

Who is your all time favourite player and why?

Romario of Brazil. I like him because he's quick, can dribble and has scored a lot of great goals.

Munyimba Munyimba, Zambia

How did you start playing football and what made you as good as you have become?

It's a long story but I am going to cut it short...

I started playing when I was six years old and had an older and a younger brother whom I used to play football with. My mum noticed that I like going out with the boys to play football on the street and encouraged me to continue, even though I have four sisters.

I then got the chance to play for a Nigerian club when I was a bit older and things grew from that.

What has made me as good as I have become? My humility and an ability to listen to what my coaches have told me to do.

Oluwashina Okeleji, Nigeria

Was it a dream come true to play football in the US?

Secondly, what has it been like playing professional football there?

It really was a dream come true. Being the first African to play in the US womens' soccer league is a great achievement for me.

The downside of playing football overseas is not being around close family and friends.

Chukwudi Nwokoye, USA

Your sojourn with the San Diego Spirits have not been as successful as Nigerians living in USA anticipated.

What do you intend to do to resuscitate your goal scoring prowess and earn a permanent shirt in the team?

Last season was rough for me and I hope that things would be better this season.

Our coach was sacked and our team manager was removed and the person that took over the team did not know how I play. But I hope to show my qualities in the coming season.

Emmanuel Tarimo, a Tanzanian in the USA

What must other African countries like Tanzania do to become major powers in African football?

I am not very knowledgeable about the state of the game in Tanzania but interested women need to be taught the basic skills and should have the chance to play with the boys, as we did.

When they've done that, they should play friendly games that would put them in the right frame to compete.

Emmanuel Akpowhe, a Nigerian in Ghana

You once played competitive table tennis, didn't you?

Do you think that you could beat the current commonwealth champion Segun Toriola if you had the chance to play him?

Oh my goodness! You have followed my sporting career quite well!

I did play table tennis for Rivers State (in Nigeria) and enjoyed it thoroughly but I had to make a choice between that and football for a career, so I now play it in my free time.

As for beating the commonwealth champion in a game, of course I can't! I know I'm good but not good enough to beat him.

Tosino Apanigogo, Nigeria

Mercy, how will you rate the present Nigerian team? Is it better than the World Cup squad that went to the USA in 1999?

We have some new players but they need experience. Some of the older players, like myself, have been in the team since 1995 and we hope that we can forge ourselves into a good team that can play the best in the world. But the most important thing now is to retain the African title.

Dami Ayansina, USA/Nigeria

You got to the quarter-finals of the last World Cup. Can Nigeria build a team capable of winning the 2003 tournament in China?

That is what we would like to achieve but we have to qualify first, so we must concentrate on winning the Nations Cup. After doing that we can prepare for the World Cup by playing against top teams, which our FA plans to arrange for us.

W.A Adeagbo, Germany

Did you receive any encouragement from your parents when you began playing football as a child?

My parents encouraged me to play soccer and to get an education. Playing soccer is my joy and it has made my parents and country proud.

John, London

How would you want to be remembered when you finish your career?

I would like to be remembered for being a nice and kind person and also for scoring great goals!