© AFP

Now well into the African leg of its global tour, the FIFA World Cup Trophy has arrived in Windhoek, Namibia.

Despite arriving from Angola in the small hours of the morning, the joint FIFA/Coca-Cola delegation received a warm welcome at the airport and a police escort through the sleeping streets of the Namibian capital.

The country's President, Hifikepunye Pohamba, will unveil the Trophy at a special ceremony at the Presidential Palace on Thursday afternoon, and will become the 23rd African head of state to touch the iconic piece of silverware on the tour so far.

Local football fans will get the chance to see the Trophy for themselves on Friday when it goes on display at the United Nations School in Windhoek. From there the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola will speed off for the Botswanan capital of Gaborone, its next port of call.