Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal and Tunisia will be flying the flag for the continent at next year’s global showpiece, with the African football governing body agreeing to pay $500 000 (R6.9 million) to each federation to assist in their preparations for the event.

In addition, technological equipment will be supplied to help best prepare the players and monitor their performances.

A statement released by CAF reads as follows:

‘At its last meeting held on 16 November 2017 in Rabat, Morocco, the CAF Executive Committee decided to set up an ad hoc committee chaired by the CAF 1st Vice President, Kwesi Nyantakyi, to map out a kind of support to be provided to African representatives to the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018.

‘The committee, which has CAF Executive Committee member Kalusha Bwalya and presidents of the Football Associations of the five qualified countries as members, met in Moscow, Russia, on the sidelines of the draw for the FIFA World Cup scheduled for 1 December 2017.

‘At the meeting, it was decided that CAF will grant a financial subsidy of $500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand dollars) to each of the five African teams. The financial package will be used mainly to strengthen and improve the technical supervision of each team.

‘In addition, CAF will provide each African representative with “fieldwiz” equipment, a technological device and physical performance measuring tool for outdoor team sports players.’

Next year’s World Cup takes place from 14 June to 15 July.