TEL AVIV, May 24 - Barcelona and Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o believes an African team can win the World Cup in Germany.

Despite the absence of Nigeria and Cameroon at next month's tournament, Eto'o said there was plenty of potential in the African teams that have qualified - Ghana, Angola, Tunisia, Togo and Ivory Coast will.

"I think all the African teams that are there are there for a reason. They have the means to live their dreams and go all the way. But they need to believe," Eto'o told Reuters.

He was speaking during a visit to Israel to promote a joint Israeli-Arab youth soccer initiative aimed at bringing the divided communities together.

"Because of their potential I think everyone is putting their hopes in the Ivory Coast," said Eto'o, singling out the Ivorian defence for special mention.

Eto'o said he was impressed by Arsenal's young Ivorian defenders Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue during Barcelona's victory over Arsenal in the Champions League final.

"They are very good. They are playing at an international level already -- among the best," he said.

Eto'o said he was disappointed that he was not going to the World Cup with Cameroon, particularly after Barcelona's fine season when they also won the league title.

"I think that everything I have done with the club is not compatible with the fact that I am not going to the World Cup."

The World Cup begins on June 9.