Song is also in Tunisia as captain of a Cameroon side chasing their third successive continental title.

But the first victory in 2000 – when Song struck the winning penalty in the shoot-out against Nigeria in the final – had its price.

Even now, Song believes his decision to fly to West Africa for the competition cost him a successful career at Liverpool.

“I was establishing myself in the team when I had to go for my country. We won the cup which was a massive thing but when I got back, Gerard Houllier
was not happy. He didn’t pick me again, that was it.”

But Song, captain of his country for their opener against Algeria which ended in a 1-1 draw, has no regrets.

“My national colours always come first,” he stresses. “If my country wants me and needs me, I will always make it top priority.

“I am confident we can make it a hat-trick of wins although we were bad against Algeria. We need to beat Zimbabwe in our second match (Thursday)and go on from there.

“We have stars like Sam Eto’o and Geremi. If we all stay fit, there is no limit to what we can achieve.”

Song is also skipper of French club Lens, sixth in their league. He played his first World Cup at 17, made history by being sent off in both 1994 and 1998 finals and also had the burden of trying to replace Rio Ferdinand at West Ham – an unhappy experience for everyone concerned.

But by far the hardest thing in his life to deal with is playing in these championships without his friend and team-mate Marc Vivien Foe, who collapsed and died last year.

“Even if we win in Tunisia, we won’t have replaced him,” says Song.

“Foe was unique as a player and as a man. It has been my view since he died and it won’t ever change.”

Song may have been seen as a reckless tackler by West Ham fans but he is sure they never saw the best of him.

“I am a different player to Rio but I always gave the club the same effort,” he says.

“But every time I made a mistake, I was punished. Glenn Roeder even made me train with the reserves which didn’t help.”

He may not stop the traffic in East London, or even Merseyside, but Song is happy as long as his country continue to call on him as their leader.

Rigobert was speaking to Joe Bernstein

You can watch all the action from Tunisia on BBC3 and BBC2