About 8,000 athletes from 54 nations are expected to take part with 20 different sports forming part of the programme.

Brazzaville hosted the first African Games in 1965 so this year's edition marks the 50th anniversary. 

Teenage Brazzaville resident Ben-Hadad Nkounkou told Euro News: ‘‘My generation has never experienced such an event, it will be a first for us.

"I am very happy to see that everything has been put in place to welcome visitors, our brothers.’‘

The Olympic village is situated 25km from the city centre with the Opening Ceremony taking place this evening at Kintele Stadium.

The last Games were held four years ago in Mozambique's capital Maputo, where South Africa topped the medals table.

Despite the opening ceremony being this evening, the badminton, fencing, volleyball, gymnastics and boxing has already begun.

Athletics, basketball, beach volleyball, cycling, football, handball, judo, karate, petanque, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, weightlifting and wrestling are also on the schedule.

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