African legacy crucial for World Cup, Milla

World Cup legend Roger Milla insists the power of the World Cup should be harnessed off the field to help fight diseases across Africa such as malaria.

With the world's gaze on South Africa, charities have taken the opportunity to raise awareness of a wide variety of issues encountered across the continent.

United Against Malaria is one such campaign and has been given the full support of FIFA and also former Cameroon international Milla, who says he will help ensure malaria remains a focus for leaders across Africa.

"I have suffered from malaria, my friends and family have suffered from malaria and Africa has suffered from malaria for far too long," said the star of the 1990 World Cup.

"This World Cup is special as the first one in Africa and by using football, the United Against Malaria campaign has built up a formidable partnership to end deaths from this terrible disease.

"I know I cannot make a big difference alone, and that is why I have signed up to be a member of the United Against Malaria team."

The United Against Malaria campaign has already garnered the support of 16 national associations in Africa as well as host of top players such as Kolo Toure, Michael Essien, Didier Drogba, Fredi Kanoute and Landon Donovan.

According to Federico Addiechi, head of corporate social responsibility at FIFA, world football's governing body is dedicated to using the World Cup as a catalyst for change on the continent.

"The FIFA World Cup in South Africa is a very special occasion and we hope that by holding the tournament in Africa it will have a positive impact on the whole continent," said Addiechi.

"We have asked national teams in Africa to take on a cause to support and use their profile to make a difference in their countries.

"The United Against Malaria campaign is one of the real legacies to come from the FIFA World Cup and FIFA is happy to support the malaria community to achieve our collective aim of virtually ending malaria deaths by 2015."