The Confederation of African Football has given the go-ahead to plans to radically change the way Africa`s representatives at the World Cup are selected.
At the Caf Congress in Bamako delegates have decided that from 2006, every Nations Cup tournament that occurs in a World Cup year will be used to choose Africa`s five representatives.
The four semi-finalists, plus one other team, will qualify.
The change has been introduced because of congestion to the fixture list.
Qualifying for the biennial Nations Cup and the World Cup mean that countries are required to play large numbers of international matches.
With 50 African countries entering the qualifying race for the Nations Cup and World Cup, the process of selecting the teams that go to the finals is long and expensive.
Blatter`s plans
Blatter could give more World Cup spots to Africa
Overseas
professional players are rarely able to compete in all qualifying games because they are so numerous and can clash with club matches.
But critics say the plans give an unfair advantage to the Nations Cup hosts and favours teams who can peak for a three-week tournament rather than those who are consistently strong over time.
The Caf Congress also heard from Fifa President Sepp Blatter of the possibilty that the number of African teams in future World Cups could be increased.
Since the 1998 World Cup, five teams have represented Africa, but Blatter is toying with the idea that it could be raised.
Blatter told the Congress that the issue was not yet being discussed officially, but was being looked at.
And he said Africa`s performance at the World Cup this year could be crucial.
"It will depend on how the current teams at the World Cup in South Korea and Japan will perform, as well as some other matters," he said.
