It would not be foolhardy for one to conclude that the neon lights have gone off on what used to be an indestructible African goalkeeping machination.

The 26th Nations Cup has done everything to indicate that Africa - just two years before the continent hosts the World Cup - has the most horrible cocktail of goaltenders. Where there was once a Thomas Nkono, now stands a Carlos Kameni.

Indeed there is overwhelming evidence to show that goalkeepers may just about hand African nations a hammock and deckchair during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Guinea may, for example, reek of class right from the back (Oumar Kalabane), midfield (Pascal Feindouno) to the striking department (Ismael Bangoura). But one look at their goalkeeping options cracks your face with a frown. Kemoko Camara their No.1 could pass for some kind of Congolese lead guitarist - not a goalkeeper.

The howlers that Kemoko has made would register quite a high figure on the Richter magnitude scale. At the 2004 Nations Cup, the anything but towering custodian cost Guinea a deserved semifinal slot when he let a tame Mahamadou Diarra shot slip through his grasp at the death.

Guinea is not alone in having a wretched man between the sticks. Ivorians are pretty used to reading far from glossy stories regarding their goalkeepers ever since Alain Gouaméné retired. Not so far back, they read - I imagine - with horror that their No.1 then Jean-Jacques Tizie had suffered a horrific injury while playing for Esperance in the Tunisian league.

Tizie lost his testicle after he collided with Etoile Sahel's Nigerian striker Ogochukwu Obiakor. Luckily for Tizie, he managed to recover. But not after two operations. Not that he brought any good tidings for the Ivorians whilst in goal though.

Tizie's replacement Boubacar Barry has also been put in a shade by Gouaméné's sceptre. Suspect with aerial balls as with shot-stopping, Barry could be the chink in Ivory Coast's armour if they qualify for South Africa 2010.

The jury is also still out on the other goaltenders of Africa's footballing powerhouses à la Austin Ejide (Nigeria), Tony Silva (Senegal), Moeneeb Josephs (South Africa) and Co.

Gigi Buffon - inarguably the world's best goalkeeper - named his son Thomas in honour of Thomas Nkono. There are no chances of the Italian now naming any of his progeny Austin or Tony.

Squirrels no pushovers

Imagine our own Ibra Sekagya trying to put up with the bulk and muscle that God threw on Benin's forward Razak Omotoyossi.

Quite a sight that. See, Omotoyossi is a Timothy Batabaire and Andy Mwesigwa rolled in one. A threat in the air, fleet-footed and with quite decent shooting and close-control skills, it's quite safe to class the 22-year-old forward a complete package.

And he has quite a reputation. Not everyone plays alongside the great Henrik Larsson and overshadows the Swede. Yet that is exactly what Omotoyossi has done thus far playing in tandem with Larsson at Helsingborg.

It goes without saying that Uganda's national team players will have to keep a beady eye on Omotoyossi when The Cranes travel to face Benin in a 2010 World Cup/ Nations Cup qualifier on June 7.

Benin's Squirrels might have struggled to leave an indelible mark on the on-going Nations Cup, but the one thing they showed is that they are certainly no cannon fodder. Mali had to toil for their win, and they were just beginning to get under mighty Ivory Coast's skin before a few lapses let the Elephants off the hook.

Having kept together the squad that starred at the 2005 Under-20 African and World Youth championships, Benin bring a subtle coherence to the footballing table. Le Mans' Stéphane Sessègnon is the schemer supremo in the team. If you have him and Omotoyossi in your pocket, it's pretty much mission accomplished.

But with FUFA in utter chaos and national coach Laszlo Csaba holidaying in his native Germany; you can't help but fear for the worst.