The Africa Kicks bus travels across five countries in West Africa
Didier Drogba, Michael Essien, Samuel Eto'o, Nwankwo Kanu, Mikel Obi, Salomon Kalou... All footballing heroes born and bred in Africa's 'football factory' in the west of the continent.
Of the six African teams playing in the World Cup finals taking place in South Africa next month, four of them are from this West African sub-region; Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria and Cameroon.
Our BBC Africa Kicks bus takes us through some of these and other countries over nine days of broadcasting, online features and interactivity to uncover what's behind the wealth of this footballing goldmine.
Along the 1200 mile route we are telling the stories of five football-mad nations and the lives, cultures and interests of the people who live there.
Expect to hear from presidents and players, musicians and priests, academics and athletes.
Above all, expect to hear ordinary West African voices describing their lives and their loves and showing us proudly around their place.
Stories to tell
We'll hear how football has been used to heal and unite, soothing the political tensions that split the once stable Ivory Coast along a north-south fault line.
The story of Ghana's new oil find; black gold for the black star nation. Will the new wealth trickle down to reach the poorest of society?
Trading across borders, we'll be investigating how people of the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) benefit from the relaxation of their international border controls. Is it a blueprint for other parts of Africa?
In Benin we will be saying a voodoo prayer for our favourite team in the World Cup tournament.
And when the BBC bus rolls into Nigeria we will debate Africa's place in the world: Will 2010 open international eyes to what modern Africa really has to offer and dispel the negative stereotypes that predominate their imagery?
Follow the bus
- We are blogging
- We are sending video updates
- We are uploading pictures to click Flickr
- We are sending tweets via Twitter
