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Following another disappointing performance by Kenya and Rwanda in this year’s competition in Tunisia, questions are being asked why the east African region continues to perform so dismally in international competition.

While east African clubs have performed credibly over the past decade, the same cannot be said for the national teams who have not only failed to make the World Cup finals but have only once before Ð in 1976 - sent two teams to the African Cup of Nations.

Differing opinions were voiced in the English press as to why Kenya and Rwanda performed so poorly. In Kenya’s case part of the reason was put down to the incredible success, at international level, of the country’s runners, and also, more recently, the cricket side which reached the World Cup semi-final last year.

But the Observer newspaper, in its study on the issue on Sunday under the controversial headline ‘West is best and east is hopeless,’ pointed out that people were as passionate about their football in east Africa as they were in any other part of the continent.

Some theories wereput forward in an attempt to explain why Kenyan runners did so well on the world’s stage.

"Many in sports physiology believe that it is training, the environment and what you eat that plays the most important role," said Bengt Saltin of the Copenhagen Muscle Research Centre.

"But the genes are what counts most."

In essence what Saltin and a number of other academics in South Africa, the United States and in the European Union are arguing is that the west African physique is far better suited to the demands of modern football than the slighter build from east Africa.

The Observer said the size ‘issue’ was "graphically illustrated on Friday when Senegal played Kenya and towered over the east Africans, easily out-muscling them on the way to a comfortable 3-0 win.

"Jon Entine, an American anthropologist who was at the forefront of the controversy over why Kenyans are so good at long distance running, said bluntly: "It is not a surprise that east Africans have not been good soccer players. In fact they are among the world’s worst.

The athletes are predominantly from the Rift Valley Province and their body type is different from west Africans, he said.

"It’s nothing to do with culture. To suggest colonial background and cultural differences are a major factor is ridiculous. History suggests it won’t change. Increased levels of interest, hero worship and money will not change the body type and will, therefore, not do enough to make a big difference.

"You simply won’t find elite footballers in any large numbers in east Africa."

But others question the view. While football is a very physical game at present, it could evolve in which case, as Tim Noakes, a professor of sports science in South Africa, argues, smaller players with greater endurance would become more important.

Moreover, there are countless examples, the critics argue, of smaller relatively lithe players who have done well on the international stage. Michael Owen of England is a prime example as is Robbie Keane of the Republic of Ireland.

Kenya’s new soccer sensation Dennis Oliech also doubts the scientists' theories. "I disagree with the scientists about physique," he said. "It’s about lack of exposure. East Africa is a virgin field for scouts and there is a lot of untapped talent."

Oliech has been watched by Manchester United scout Nicholas MacGowan during the tournament who believes the player is short of premiership potential for the moment.

However, Oliech says his dream of a move to Europe could materialise in the near future, particularly after being named as one of the most promising young world talents in the Guardian newspaper last week.

Oliech’s view is also backed by the German coach Otto Pfister who has won trophies with several club and national sides in Africa.

"There is talent all over Africa," he said. "Thousands and thousands of talented players, but it takes time to look and no one seems to have the time."

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