As a result, the Republic of Ireland and the upcoming World Cup Finals holds few if any fears for the on loan Sunderland striker.

"The Irish players are good players and I am impressed with them but I am not scared of them. I have had a chance to study some of them at Sunderland

"In the Premiership, Shay Given is excellent but I am not afraid. I will have another chance to score against Shay in June and I will try my best. Robbie Keane, is a really great player and it is the most difficult thing we can fight against when the forward is very fast, he creates more problems. We (Quinn, Kilbane, McAteer) are team mates now but it will be different in June."

June and the World Cup Finals seems to be the next progression for Mboma and his team mates who have grown beyond the novelty factor which eclipsed the nations’ foray onto the international stage in Italia’ 90.

"Yeah we are full of confidence because it is the only title we have to win. ‘94 was not really successful for us, 1998 was better and now we are a team of big experience. We’ve had the time to play together. Since ‘98 we have won titles like two African Nations Cups and the final of the Olympic Games. So we really want to do great things for this World Cup and I’m sure that we will do well."

And he thinks, that Ireland will also pass the first group stage, at the expense of Germany.

"I really don’t thing that Germany have got big confidence and it is not the best German side for some time. In the recent games they did not show the best of themselves. I think we can create a surprise by going to the second round without Germany," he said earnestly.

The 31 year old is currently on loan with the Black Cats but given his recent performances and the attitude or Peter Reid, it looks likely that the striker will be signed on a permanent basis for a figure in the region of £4 million.

"Patrick will be a big help. He is used to playing at the highest level and anyone who saw his strike that was voted Goal of the Tournament in the recent African Cup of Nations will know that we have added a very talented player to the squad," Reid said.

Born in Douala, the family moved to Paris when he was two after his father secured a job in the French capital. First came a stint with Paris St Germain but with George Weah in the spotlight, Mboma had to accept a supporting role.

Loan spells with Chateauroux and to Metz followed before he quit Paris in 1997. Then he took the most peculiar of career turns heading, eastwards to Japan and to Gamba Osaka. It proved an inspired move, as he claimed 25 domestic goals in two seasons.

Naturally he is excited about his return in an international capacity and believes that his history will gain him, and Cameroon some new found support.

"In Japan in my first season I was the leading scorer in the League and this is the reason why I love Japan. They love my play and I had a very good experience there," he said.

Then came the 1998 World Cup and though Cameroon failed to make the second stage, Mboma’s disappointment was short-lived as the offers from European clubs began to mount in the aftermath of the Finals. He opted for Italy, signing for Calgiari, scoring eight goals, before moving to the mainland and to Parma.

Things turned sour too quickly and when asked about his time with the Seria A club, he merely remarked. "Yes of course I would like to score goals, and I cannot scores goals from the bench."

For now, he aims to score goals for Sunderland in their bid for Premiership safety. June will come soon enough.

When asked about the Irish origins of his christian name, he merely laughed; "You’ll have to ask my mother."

One hopes that her name will not be taken in vain too greatly by Irish fans following the exploits of her illustrious son in Group E this Summer.