THE time has come - and with it the inevitability of the tide of history.

THE time has come - and with it the inevitability of the tide of history.

Today Mother Africa will rise with great pride from her rugged slumber to shed a tear, not because famine or war has claimed one of her own- as routinely happens - but because of the joy that has invaded her bosom.

Hosting the world's greatest football showpiece has, no doubt, brought a rare shine to the continent's notoriously dark streak.

As the world's nations join in fellowship under the four-week spell of the World Cup, Africa will savour its finest hour amid the awe of billions across the world.

Only then will the sheer enormity of the moment hit home, instantaneously unleashing a an avalanche of emotions from Cape to Cairo.

And when that happens pride will well up in every chest that swears allegiance to African soil.

Four years of effort will have been distilled into one magical moment..