Ruud Gullit, twice a world player of the year, has tipped hosts Brazil to win the World Cup but hopes a team from Africa make an impact in Rio.

The former Dutch attacking midfielder also said yesterday that he feels China's time will come on the global stage.

Four years ago in South Africa Ghana were the only one of the continent's six representatives to reach the knockout stage, beating the USA before losing to Uruguay on penalties in the quarter-final.

"Brazil, of course, is favourite," the 51-year-old said. "I hope Holland do well and that an African country do well. A lot of African countries have players in the Champions League, in good teams in Europe - so maybe Ghana or Cameroon.

"I'm thinking all the time, 1.7 billion Chinese must make a team who can qualify for the World Cup. I hope one day it will happen. It would also be great if China could organise a World Cup."

Ghana are in Group G with Germany, Portugal and the USA, while Cameroon play Brazil, Croatia and Mexico in Group A. Algeria, Ivory Coast and Nigeria are the other sides from the continent to have qualified.

Gullit played at the 1990 World Cup in Italy but walked out of his team's pre-tournament training camp for the 1994 event in America.